Silvestre de Sousa masterclass as battling Bangkok lands Easter Classic spoils

What difference does the jockey make? Most of the time the answer can be none whatsoever, but sometimes they can make all the difference, and the 2021 Betway Easter Classic was an example of the latter.

Silvestre de Sousa was at his brilliant best aboard the Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old Bangkok, holding in his main market rival Forest Of Dean around the home bend in what was most definitely a race-defining move.

Palavecino made a bold bid from the front and having denied Forest Of Dean a gap it then took the entirety of the home straight for the odds-on favourite and De Sousa to overhaul the 8-1 shot and win by a neck.

In the Winter Derby, Forest Of Dean got the run of the race and stole it on the home turn. This time that was the exact point at which the race went against him with De Sousa not giving an inch, holding him in and keeping the race between the winner and the Brhian Meehan-trained Palavecino.

Balding said: "I thought Silvestre gave him a lovely ride and held Forest Of Dean in at the vital stage and I think he always had a little bit up his sleeve. It's great and I'm thrilled for the horse."

Race result and replay

He added: "Ryan [Moore] felt when he won on him here before he went to Saudi the mile and a half would suit him well and he's settling so much better now. It's certainly useful to stay that trip so we could look at options over further.

"Watching the race it certainly looked as if he could go back up to a mile and a half, but then Silvestre got off him and said he has the speed for a mile. We'll probably go down the middle and look at the Huxley Stakes at Chester next.

"He's got a Listed penalty, that's all, so he's eligible for Group 3s without a penalty and we'll have a lot of fun trying to pick races he can be competitive in."

De Sousa added: "Bangkok is a classy type and he loves it around here. He may not have entirely enjoyed how the race was run but he came home well. That will give him a bit of confidence for the turf season going forward."

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets