It took some fancy footwork and determined late lunge for Sir Dancealot (by Sir Prancealot) to take out a stunning renewal of the Group II Qatar Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.
Weaving through traffic under the guidance of veteran French
jockey Gerald Mosse, Sir Dancealot, who had encountered trouble in running,
finished powerfully over the 7-furlong trip to win by a short head.
The David Elsworth trained galloper has had an impressive preparation last seen running a fast finishing fourth the in the G1 July Cup after winning the Gr3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.
Elsworth said: "He got into more trouble than I get into in the pub on a Saturday night. His level of form has been very good, which gave him a very good chance today.
"Stall four was a difficult draw for a horse that needs to be taken back a little bit and relaxed. Gerald had a problem in organising him, if you like. Everybody is trying to win. There is a lot of good luck involved and good fortune.
"We would have been an unlucky loser, but we better be gracious in victory and say it was a scramble."
Asked about future plans, the trainer added: "We had a crack at a Group One the other day. There are lots of races for him. I put him in the Hungerford Stakes, which is another Group Two.
Mosse, registering his first winner at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, said: "I hit the line on the right stride and, although it was tight, I felt I had got there.
"I really trust Sir Dancealot and wanted to ride him confidently. He is really good horse and the best way to make him hit the line is to sit in and take my time. I can count on him - I know when I press (the button), he will answer.
"He is for me definitely a G1 horse. It is not even a question. He needs things on his side a little bit when he races, but he has a great turn of foot. He is a magnificent animal and a dream to be on board."
Sir Dancealot's sire Sir Prancealot stands at Cornerstone Stud at a fee of $14,300 inc. GST.
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