RECKLESS BY NAME, RECKLESS BY NATURE
   Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate) gave some indication of steering issues when prevailing in a Doncaster maiden last month, and that trait was in evidence again as he denied Gale Force Ten (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in a thrilling renewal of the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot. Sharply away to stalk a strong early pace, the 4-1 chance veered left soon after taking over inside the two pole and was returned on an even keel just in time to maintain his perfect tally by 3/4 of a length. "He's just a big baby, who runs around a lot, and I half expected him to do something," admitted rider Adam Kirby, who was registering his first Royal meet success. "As soon as I went for him, he ran left straight away, but he is very special. He gives a lot of ground away by doing it, but we'll get it sorted."

Thursday, Royal Ascot, Britain
NORFOLK S.-G2, £75,000, Ascot, 6-21, 2yo, 5fT, 1:01.41, gd/sf.
1–#@RECKLESS ABANDON (GB), 127, c, 2, by Exchange Rate
        1st Dam: Sant Elena (GB) (SP), by Efisio (GB)
        2nd Dam: Argent du Bois, by Silver Hawk
        3rd Dam: Wiener Wald, by Woodman
(£24,000 yrl '11 DONAUG). O-Julie Deadman & Steven Barrow; B-Car Colston Hall Stud; T-Clive Cox; J-Adam Kirby; £42,532. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £45,443. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.

2--Gale Force Ten (GB), 127, c, 2, Oasis Dream (GB)--Ronaldsay (GB), by Kirkwall (GB). (£280,000 yrl '11 DONAUG). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-S Tindall, D Ludlow & Stowell Hill Ltd; T-Aidan O'Brien; £16,125.
3--Ian's Dream, 127, c, 2, Speightstown--She's Loaded, by Deputy Minister. ($120,000 wnlg '10 KEENOV; $220,000 RNA yrl '11 KEESEP). O-Nigel O'Sullivan; B-M L Burleson, Hart Farm & A Lakin & Sons; T-Jeremy Noseda; £8,070.



Margins: 3/4, 3/4, HD. Odds: 4-1, 8-1, 16-1.
Also Ran: Morawij (GB), Ahern (GB), Cay Verde (GB), Ocean Applause (GB), Mister Marc (Ire), Storm Moon, Annunciation (GB), Jubilee Brig (GB). Scratched: Complicator (GB).
Click for the Racing Post chart, the brisnet.com PPs or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, courtesy attheraces.com.
   Clive Cox's two Royal Ascot scores have come courtesy of dual winner New Seeker (GB) (Green Desert), and he bridged a seven-year gap since a last success with Reckless Abandon in this furious five-furlong dash. However, the victory did not come without incident, as the eventual winner veered left when set fair for a cozy victory. Having showed a tendency to wander when defeating the reopposing Annunciation (GB) (Proclamation {Ire}) and 16 others at Doncaster May 19, his inexperience resurfaced in the closing stages here. The eventual winner was slick from the gate and was soon in a stalking role, just behind in the stands' side group. Making ominous progress from halfway, he took control with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining, but veered left once confronted by Ascot's expanse soon after. Straightened up with no time to spare, he kept the high gears turning as the line loomed and found a late surge to deprive Gale Force Ten, who led home those on the far side of the track. "He did it in his first start, and he was clearly still quite green here," opined Cox. "In a perfect world we would have had a normal spring and he'd already have had a couple of runs under his belt by now, but we've been forced here undercooked really. He is very talented and [jockey] Adam [Kirby] has done a grand job in both his races. I'm over the moon and especially delighted for owners Julie Deadman and Steven Barrow." Of the runner-up, trainer Aiden O'Brien told PA Sport, "I'm delighted with the run of Gale Force Ten. We've often run a horse back in the [G2] Railway S. [at The Curragh June 30] after this, so he would be a possible for that." Jeremy Noseda, trainer of third placegetter Ian's Dream added, "I think Ian's Dream would prefer faster ground, but considering that was the second start of his life, you'd have to be delighted with him. I think we will go for a maiden now, and then something like the [G2] Richmond S. at Goodwood [Aug. 2]."