'We can't duck Baaeed' - Chindit camp up for rematch after Summer Mile victory

Saturday: Ascot

The form of the brilliant Baaeed was boosted when Chindit — twice behind the world's best horse this term — came out on top in the Summer Mile and the winner's camp are keen on another crack at the Shadwell star at Glorious Goodwood.

Owned by Michael Pescod, Chindit is trained by Richard Hannon and struck in the Champagne Stakes as a juvenile before winning the Greenham last year.

The consistent four-year-old won at Doncaster on his first start of 2022 before finishing third and fourth in the Lockinge and Queen Anne — races landed impressively by Baaeed, the highest-rated Flat horse on the planet.

His next race is due to be the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27 and Chindit is also engaged in that.

Pat Dobbs did the steering on the Wootton Bassett colt in the £140,000 Group 2, which honours late owner-breeder and prominent electrical engineer Fred Cowley and Pescod, a retired City lawyer, said: "We managed to find a race Baaeed wasn't in!

"This was always going to be his race. I've got a nosebleed now because I'm in territory I don't really understand — I've never had a Group 1 winner.

"We are entered at Goodwood and we've got to do it; we can't duck him. Chindit is certainly one of the best horses I've owned, but I've had some decent ones and still get a big thrill out of it. I need something to do in my old age," added Pescod.

Mountain Peak (purple silks) forges ahead under Tom MarquandCredit: Charlie Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mountain peaks

Valuable sprint handicaps had come to annoy Ed Walker, but the Lambourn trainer was smiling after Mountain Peak produced a career-best to capture the £100,000 5f heat on the card.

Walker, who trains the seven-year-old for Ebury Racing, said: "This year we've been second in the Wokingham, while this horse was second in the Dash at Epsom.

"We were second in the Ayr Gold Cup last year and before that Aeolus was second in a Stewards' Cup. These sprint handicaps have eluded me and driven me slightly mad.

"I know this isn't as famous as those, but it's a big pot and lovely to win, while he's the first horse I've had win ten races and that's his 40th run, which is a great strike-rate."

Mountain Peak, partnered by Tom Marquand, might not have been able to achieve that without the assistance of Georgie McCabe and Tristan Broadbent.

"We nearly retired this horse," Walker added. "It wasn't happening and all of a sudden he won here last year, which was going to be the last run of his career if he didn't perform.

"We wondered at the time where that performance came from, but I've got to give a lot of credit to Georgie, who rides him at home, and Tristan, who looks after him, while Tom has clicked with him this year and rides him magnificently.

"Tom's right up there with the best in the world. It's easy to say that after a win, but he's phenomenal."

Walker doubled up when Random Harvest prevailed in the mile handicap for fillies and mares.

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Neil Callan sits in the stalls on Bague D'Or on his way to winning The Hi-Speed Services Handicap Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on July 09, 2022 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)Credit: Charlie Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Callan nets another

Neil Callan joked his stint in Hong Kong means he is a little unfamiliar with some sires, but he is riding like he has never been away and demonstrated that on Bague D'Or in the 1m6f handicap.

Callan made the move back to Britain last year and rode 12 winners, but the victory of Chris Wall's inmate was his 34th of a season that has also produced a Royal Ascot victory.

The rider, however, is not dwelling on the success of Rising Star in the Kensington Palace. He said: "I'm still building, but I am getting there — slowly. Any sportsman needs to aim for the highest bar, not the next rung.

"I was a top-five jockey before I went to Hong Kong and that's where I want to be. Whether that is or isn't achievable, I'm going to give it my best shot. I feel I'm riding well.

"I'll keep trying. I don't have goals as such, but want to keep going up and up and up — I'll shoot for the stars."

Rising Star's trainer Marco Botti has aided Callan's return, but when the rider was asked whether Bague D'Or would prefer easier ground being by Belardo, he added: "I've been away that long I don't really know the sire!

"And I'll be riding work at home and Marco is saying this is by that sire or that stallion and I'm thinking, 'Who?!'."

Results, replays and analysis

Read more from Super Saturday:

July Cup: 'It won't be an alcohol-free weekend' - Rob Hornby revels in another Group 1

Superlative Stakes: 'He's really special' - Isaac Shelby emerges as a Guineas hope after Group 2 win

York: 'I couldn't believe my eyes' - stunning Royal Aclaim the new Nunthorpe favourite

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