Highly-regarded royal runner only third in Heron Stakes.Download
Slipofthepen had to settle for third, as Captain Winters was given a superb, enterprising ride by Neil Callan to cause an upset in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown.
Royal runner Slipofthepen – who came into the race unbeaten after landing two all-weather mile races at Kempton – was sent off the 4-9 favourite under James Doyle to win for the King and Queen.
However, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Night Of Thunder colt was a stride or two slow from the stalls and was still last of the quartet turning for home.
Though he appeared to travel well as the keen Grey’s Monument set the pace, Slipofthepen did not pick up as expected.
Callan stole a march on the Kevin Ryan-trained 12-1 outsider approaching two furlongs out and with Finn’s Charm – who had beaten him 10 lengths at Musselburgh – folding quickly, it was left to the long-time leader to keep up the challenge.
Though Captain Winters tired near the line, he just had enough to score by a fast-diminishing nose.
Gosden senior pointed towards the ground playing its part in Slipofthepen’s reverse.
“He just found the ground a little tacky. He is a horse that loves top of the ground,” he said.
“He just laboured in the ground and he didn’t have his usual zip. But you are coming from the all-weather to his first race on turf which is a big difference.
“It is a good stiff track Sandown and he didn’t float off the ground. He was a little bit keen, but I’m not blaming that. The ground was just a little bit tacky for him.
“We will see how he is when he gets home then make plans.”
Of the winner, Ryan said: “I’m delighted with him. Off his rating he did have a bit of work to do, but we thought a lot of him last year.
“He is from a family that generally improves with age. You could put a line through his run last time at Musselburgh as I just thought the track didn’t suit him.
“I think he is a horse that just saves a bit for himself, but if you think you have a good horse it is worth pitching them in to good races.
“I don’t go into races like this to make up the numbers. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong.
“We will have a chat with Sheikh (Mohammed) Obaid (Al Maktoum) over the next few days and see what to do.
“There could be options to go over to France with him, while we will also see what options there are at home. It is nice to have opportunities to make such plans.”
