12.40pm Highclere Racing announce retirement of Telescope
Tony Paley: Trainer Sir Michael Stoute described Telescope as “a model of consistency” after owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing confirmed the Royal Ascot winner’s retirement.
The five-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Hardwicke Stakes last year and went on to fill the runner-up spot in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Despite a disappointing run in this season’s Hardwicke, Telescope was still being prepared for a second tilt at the King George before injury intervened.
Harry Herbert, racing manager for his owners, said: “We had been hoping to run in the Canadian International, but unfortunately the niggling injury that stopped him running in the King George has reoccurred and the decision has been made that now is the right time to retire him.
“He’s been a wonderful racehorse - a dream horse for a syndicate - and he has given us many great days. I suppose his performance in winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot was the highlight - beating Hillstar by seven lengths in a fast time. He only finished out of the first four once in 14 starts and picked up a lot of prize-money along the way.
“He is the most beautiful-looking horse. He was renowned for his good looks and is probably one of the best-looking horses in training, I would say. There’s been plenty of interest for him to stand at stud, John Warren (bloodstock advisor) is dealing with that and we’ll see what transpires. We’ll certainly miss him.”
Stoute said: “Telescope was a model of consistency. He’s a quality, good-actioned, brave colt with a grand temperament. The highlight of his career was his scintillating performance in the 2014 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.”
Telescope won five races from 14 starts and earned over 763,000 in prize-money.
Monday’s best bets, by Chris Cook
If Victoria Pendleton somehow manages to win at Ripon this afternoon on her debut as a licensed (amateur) jockey, no one will be able to say that victory was sorted out for her in advance. She’s riding an eight-year-old 14-1 shot with three career wins from his 58 starts, starting wider than all but one of their rivals in stall 14 of 15.
Royal Etiquette, Pendleton’s mount in the 5.30pm race, has some talent but the suspicion is that he does not always deign to show it. On the other hand, his effort at Windsor last time was much better than his previous two races and, as the Racing Post has noted this morning, he is “lurking” on a handy weight if he should feel like putting his best foot forward today.
If forced to bet on the race, I’d look at Ice Konig, a hurdles winner in June who was doing his best work at the finish when returned to the Flat last time under today’s rider. But races for amateurs who are just starting out do not make an attractive betting medium.
I’d rather take 5-1 about Oat Couture (5.35) at Chepstow, where the going will be on the soft side after recent rain. That may suit Henry Candy’s filly rather better than the fast surface on which she made her handicap debut at Windsor last time, staying on after being outpaced. The extra furlong also looks like good news.
She’s by Kyllachy, whose progeny often need some cut, and has progressed nicely through her four races to date. Dane O’Neill replaces Jenny Powell in the saddle this time.
In Cartmel’s penultimate contest, many of us would be delighted to see a third course success for Goldan Jess, whose part-owner is Will Hayler, formerly of this parish. But Tim Vaughan’s lightly raced Panis Angelicus (5.10) looks more of a bet at 100-30, having shown considerable improvement through his last couple of races at Stratford. He makes his handicap debut under Richard Johnson, who is already seeking his fifth course success of the season.
Tipping competition - a new week starts tomorrow
As this is a Bank Holiday, we will postpone the start of our new competition until tomorrow. Do please join us then and in the meantime let us know what you fancy for today’s bumper offering of six race-meetings.
