Richard Hannon seconditis ended by unbeaten Heredia after stewards' inquiry

Friday: Royal Ascot

Richard Hannon’s view that Heredia was his best chance of a winner heading into Royal Ascot week was vindicated when the three-year-old filly justified 7-2 favouritism to take the Sandringham Stakes, following a stewards' inquiry, to end a frustrating run of near misses for the trainer.

Hannon, who had seen Persian Force, Lusail and Mojo Star finish second this week, finally struck with Heredia, who dealt with a 7lb hike for last month's win at York to give Sean Levey his first win at Royal Ascot.

Although an inquiry was called due to potential interference in the final strides of the mile handicap between Heredia and fast-finishing runner-up Zanbaq, there would have been little concern for Levey and Hannon, with the outcome in the stewards’ room a formality as the places remain unaltered.

Hannon, who also took the £100,000 contest in 2015 with Osaila, told ITV: “She’s a very good filly and we thought she was our best chance coming here. She travelled very well. She only had two runs last year and we had to wait a long time for her to come right this year. She’s repaid us in spades."

Heredia: a first Royal Ascot winner for Sean LeveyCredit: Mark Cranham

While Hannon was scoring at the royal meeting for the seventh time, it was a new feeling for Levey, who said: “It’s absolutely huge for me. That’s my first Royal Ascot winner, I’ve been here a long time now.

“Even to go off favourite in a race like this, a lot could have gone wrong but she’s a good filly and she’s done it really well."

Of the tight finish with Jim Crowley’s mount Zanbaq, Levey added: “She hit the front going away from them. I tried to straighten her out and if there was obstruction there I don’t think it would have taken away her place."

A clash with Coronation Stakes heroine Inspiral in the Falmouth Stakes on July 8 could be on the cards for Heredia.

Hannon, who combined with Levey to take the Newmarket Group 1 last year with Snow Lantern, said: "She’s in the Falmouth and you need a Group horse to win a Royal Ascot handicap. She’s always been a very good filly and has improved a lot."

All smiles for Hayley Turner and Harry Eustace after Latin Lover's win in the the Palace Of Holyroodhouse StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Eustace feeling the love as he strikes with first runner

Hayley Turner’s two previous Royal Ascot wins had both come in the Sandringham but the rider got up late on Latin Lover to provide fledgling Newmarket trainer Harry Eustace with his first Royal Ascot winner in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes.

Eustace, who worked as assistant to William Haggas before taking on the licence at Park Lodge Stables in 2021 after his father James’ retirement, struck with his first runner at the royal meeting as his three-year-old gelding quickly followed up a win on the all-weather at Kempton nine days ago under a penalty.

"It will take a while for this smile to come off my face," said Eustace. "It's hard, really hard to win here. You've seen a lot of very good horses get beat here this week, so you hope to come and be competitive. Anything more than that is a bonus.

"To get his head in front is something we didn't let ourselves dream about. To pull it off is great. You can only be so confident coming here as it's the hardest place to come to in the world. We hoped, but not much more than that."

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