By Tom Frary
Known chiefly before Saturday as the filly that cost Frankie Dettori his major rides here and at Glorious Goodwood, Angel's Hideaway (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) provided only positive news this time as she dominated Ascot's G3 Princess Margaret Keeneland S. Held up in rear early, Cheveley Park Stud's grey who caused major interference when runner-up in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket July 13 moved smoothly to challenge the 6-4 favourite Royal Intervention (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and swooped on that long-time leader approaching the furlong pole. Readily drawing clear under Robert Havlin, the 11-4 second favourite had 2 1/2 lengths to spare over that Listed Empress S. scorer at the line. There was drama at the start as the Newmarket debut scorer Aquarius (Ire) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) refused to race and unshipped her rider. Winning trainer John Gosden was taken with the performance. “She is very talented and has learnt to race properly now,” he said. “She got loose twice this week, but is relishing her racing.”
Stepping up off a June 7 Haydock maiden win when fourth in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot June 22, Angel's Hideaway was no match for Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) when seven-lengths second in the Duchess of Cambridge but was clear of the remainder even allowing for the trouble she caused to rivals who were tiring at the time. “I think she ran an exceptional race in the Albany along with the Ballydoyle filly, as I think they were slightly disadvantaged on the far side,” Gosden added. “She is very happy at six for now, but we might stretch out in time. We'll look at the [G2] Lowther [S. at York Aug. 23], but she enjoys top-of-the-ground and is very quick on her feet so we wouldn't want to see lots of summer rain.” Robert Havlin was making up for the disappointment of missing out on the ride on Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the King George and added, “She has strengthened up a lot and is able to finish up now. She travelled well and there is quite a strong headwind, but she took a bit of pulling up.”
Angel's Hideaway is out of the speedy Listed Hilary Needler Trophy runner-up The Hermitage (Ire) (Kheleyf), whose previous best was the G2 Mill Reef S. and G3 Hackwood S. runner-up Perfect Angel (Ire) also by Dark Angel. The second dam is the Listed Prix des Lilas and Listed Prix Amandine runner-up Russian Countess (Nureyev), who also produced the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner and G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks third Crown of Light (GB) (Mtoto {GB}). The Hermitage's yearling colt is by Camacho (GB), while she also has a foal full-sister to Angel's Hideaway.
Saturday, Ascot, Britain
PRINCESS MARGARET KEENELAND S.-G3, £50,000, Ascot, 7-28, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:14.59, g/f.
1–ANGEL'S HIDEAWAY (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: The Hermitage (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Kheleyf
2nd Dam: Russian Countess, by Nureyev
3rd Dam: Countess Tully (Ire), by Hotfoot (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€390,000 Ylg '17 GOFOR). O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Yeomanstown Stud & Doc Bloodstock (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Robert Havlin. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $73,802. *Full to Perfect Angel (Ire), MGSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Royal Intervention (Ire), 126, f, 2, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Exciting Times (Fr), by Jeune Homme. O-Lord Lloyd Webber & W S Farish; B-Exciting Times Partnership (IRE); T-Ed Walker. £10,750.
3–The Mackem Bullet (Ire), 126, f, 2, Society Rock (Ire)–Elkmait (GB), by Trade Fair (GB). (£9,000 Ylg '17 GOUKSI). O-B Robe; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Brian Ellison. £5,380.
Margins: 2HF, NK, 1. Odds: 2.75, 1.50, 20.00.
Also Ran: Chapelli (GB), Nicki's Angel (Ire), Scintilating (GB). DNF: Aquarius (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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