'I've never known a purple patch like this' - Angel Bleu helps Ralph Beckett team to an awesome August

Ralph Beckett might feel as if he is walking on water at the moment and the rain that fell before the Celebration Mile was only going to help Angel Bleu, who provided the trainer with his 30th winner of an irresistible August.

Beckett's previous monthly best came in July with 22 winners, but his Hampshire stable is in an even richer vein of form now and Angel Bleu, who won two Group 1s as a juvenile, was following a fantastic four-timer on Friday.

Owned by Marc Chan, Angel Bleu landed the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Criterium International in 2021, but failed to win last season.

However, he got his head in front at Haydock in the spring and the downpour that hit Goodwood before the William Hill-sponsored Group 2 was in his favour.

Jimmy Daly, Beckett's assistant, was thrilled to see Angel Bleu oblige under Hector Crouch and said: "The ground has made a big difference and when the heavens opened it was a good sign for him.

"The boss has always been sure that's his ground. He goes on anything, but prefers that and just looked in good form today; he looked really up for it. Hector was very cool there, but it kind of always looked like he'd get up from a furlong and a half out."

Angel Bleu has "a bit about him like all four-year-old colts", according to Daly, the son of Shropshire jumps trainer Henry.

"He's not been in bad form and there aren't hundreds of options for him, but things have fallen right for us today."

Put to Daly that everything was falling right for the operation, he replied: "Long may it continue. I think the boss leads from the front and shows us all how to do it, and then we've a great team.

Angel Bleu (right): flies up the rail to give the Ralph Beckett team Celebration smiles Credit: Mark Cranham

"I've never known a purple patch like this. I think Dad had ten or 11 winners in a month once and that was shocking to me. It's amazing to be a part of this.

"We've a team of nice horses and they're in good order, but of course this fella is a bit of a favourite. You don't win two Group 1s as a two-year-old and still be around winning races like that, and not be a favourite."

Autumn conditions should mean Angel Bleu has plenty of opportunities to add to his seven successes, the latest of which came in pleasing fashion. Racing in midfield, he was waited with as Crouch pondered his best route of attack.

Judging that was up the stands' rail, the jockey switched his mount, who went off at 9-2, and the four-year-old ran on to beat Knight by half a length.

Charyn finished third and 15-8 favourite Epictetus was fifth.

For good measure, Chan and Beckett swiftly followed up in the City of York Stakes with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Kinross, and in the Listed Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket with Lezoo.

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