Guest Of Honour (r): Took the spoils

Guest Of Honour won the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing E.B.F. Stakes at Windsor.

Richard Hannon’s three year old, Montiridge, was all the rage for this Listed contest, registered as the Royal Windsor Stakes, but it was the year older Guest Of Honour who ran out a ready winner.

Settled in second behind the pacesetting – and newly gelded – Fury, the Spring Mile second was always travelling strongly for Martin Harley.

In contrast, Montiridge had pulled for his head early as Kieran O’Neill had tried to get the well-regarded colt to settle.

As Fury came to the end of his tether, Guest Of Honour took up the running and never looked like relinquishing the lead with the 9/2 chance finishing over two lengths clear of Don’t Call Me with Montiridge in third.

The winning jockey said: “I had my first ride on him at Newbury in the Spring Mile and he travelled so, so well through horses and picked up well. I blame myself for getting there a bit too soon but I got there plenty early enough today as well.”

“I took it up early enough today too; we didn’t go very quick and I knew the dash was going to be on from two down but, in fairness, he stuck his head out and won well. He’s got a massive amount of ability, he works a lot better at home than he gives us on the track,” he told At The Races.

It was a first foray into Pattern company for the Marco Botti trained winner who hasn’t finished outside the first two in five starts (winning twice) since opening his account at the third time of asking.