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Alenquer lives up to billing to take the King Edward VII Stakes
Alenquer backed up the form of his Sandown win with a stylish success in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
William Haggas’ colt won the bet365 Classic Trial at the Esher track with subsequent Derby winner Adayer back in second, and connections had been considering supplementing him for Epsom or going for the German Derby.
However, a setback meant those thoughts were short lived and now they may be wondering what might have been.
Sent off the 13-8 favourite, Tom Marquand was happy to watch the race develop from his position at the rear of the small field as Bellocio and Tasman Bay forced the pace.
Given the testing conditions the race known colloquially as the ‘Ascot Derby’ could have turned into a war of attrition – but Alenquer moved smoothly up to challenge before quickening up smartly.
Being by German sire Adlerflug the ground was never going to be an issue and he pulled away nicely to win by a length and a half, with Tasman Bay running a cracker in second for former Olympic eventer Sir Mark Todd.
Betfair cut the winner to 12-1 from 25s for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes back at Ascot in July.