'It's exciting - he's got a nice future' - Juddmonte colt Jonquil defies messy finish to shine on debut

Jonquil showed signs of star potential after he defied considerable trouble in running to claim a debut success for Sir Michael Stoute. 

The Juddmonte-owned son of Lope De Vega was asked by Ryan Moore to move past leader Qetaifan at the two-furlong pole but made contact with Time Turner, which resulted in him losing ground when bustled back to his position on the rail. 

However, the 11-4 joint favourite rallied impressively to once more find space and run down fellow debutant Centigrade in the closing strides, scoring by a short head in the 7f maiden. 

"It's not an ideal first time out, but he'll have learned a lot from today," said Stoute's assistant trainer James Savage. 

"He's a nice two-year-old and he's got the pedigree and physique to back it up. They were always quite positive when they sent him from Juddmonte and he's shown a gritty attitude. It was nice to see him come back at the end.

"There's stamina in his pedigree but he's got that bit of speed from his dam too. Seven furlongs is okay for now, but I'm pretty sure he'd stay a mile this year if we wanted him to, and further next year. It's exciting – he's got a nice future."

Harb (Tom Queally, left) wins the 5f handicap for Peter CrateCredit: Edward Whitaker

Back with a bang

Peter Crate enjoyed his first winner of the year when Harb shrugged off a four-month layoff to win the 5f handicap. 

The five-year-old denied a late charge by Four Adaay to score for the first time since winning at the track last September, a victory he may seek to defend in three weeks' time after a stylish return under Tom Queally. 

 "I'd love to say this was the plan, but it was more to have a run and then bring him back to the race he won last year," said Crate. 

"I knew he was pretty sharp, on Monday he dropped our lad who rides him every day and galloped round the field like a good'un, which gave him that last piece of work in a way. 

"I said to his owner the morning, 'Don't think this horse hasn't got a chance', because he was as fit as I could get him at this stage. Sure enough, he's shown that."

While Crate has just four horses in his yard at Reigate, Harb may not be the only one to watch on his team. 

Crate added: "Harb is wonderful, I love him to bits, but I've also got another horse I'm really excited about called Harry Brown. I've got really high hopes for later in the year." 

Photo-finish

King Of Charm emerged victorious in the closest-fought race of the day when fending off Sea Regal by just a nose in the mile handicap. 

Tom Marquand was left to settle for second on the William Haggas-trained filly but found some compensation in the following 1m2f contest when Min Huna stormed two lengths clear on her handicap debut. 

Olivia Eglise riding Briar Smokey Joe wins the Sandown Park Shetland Pony Solario StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Shetland Solario

Ahead of Saturday's Group 3 Solario Stakes, Sandown staged its first ever Shetland Pony Solario Stakes. Victory went to rider Olivia Eglise on Briar Smokey Joe, with Sean Levey and Oisin Murphy on hand to award the prize to the winning jockey. 

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, the reigning Racing Writer of the Year, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Members' Club Ultimate subscriber? Click here to join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.