ELLIOTT’S GRAND VISION FOR VISIR GOES FLAT
Bloodstock agent Alex Elliott had a race at Cheltenham in mind for The Grand Visir when he bought him for 170,000gns at Tattersalls’ Horses In Training Sale in Newmarket last year.
Elliott, who became part of the team who own the horse, was therefore shocked and emotional after the five-year-old son of Royal Ascot legend Frankel, grabbed a race at Royal Ascot, namely the Ascot Handicap over two and a half miles. The Grand Visir (12/1) stayed on strongly to hold off Buildmeupbuttercup (7/1), Time To Study (16/1) and Fun Mac (11/1) by one and a quarter lengths, three and a half lengths and two and a quarter lengths.
Ian Williams trains the winner – who was the mount of Richard Kingscote – and also third home, Time To Study.
Elliott said of the day he bought The Grand Visir: “I thought he was the best horse in the sale and a half-a-million pound horse, but he failed the scope [veterinary inspection of the horse’s airways], despite having won a race the week before.
“We just had to ask ourselves how much the scope could stop him – we thought he was a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle or even Champion Hurdle horse. That didn’t quite go to plan [the horse unseated once and was then unplaced over hurdles] and here we are now. Quite unbelievable.
“Ian is the master of this type of horse – the best in the country if not the world, which is why I and two friends, my best friends who have done a lot for me, chose Ian to do the training.” Other partners in the syndicate include Sky Sport Racing television presenter Gina Bryce.
Williams said: “The hurdling career is not finished, but it is open to interpretation. We ran him back on the Flat at Newbury last month and fortunately he dropped a pound in the handicap which enabled him to get in here, albeit carrying top weight.
“We weren’t sure he would stay the trip, but Richard gave him a lovely patient ride which enabled him to get into the race. Turning for home I thought there was only two who were travelling well, The Grand Visir and Time To Study. The winner stayed all the way to the line, but Time To Study probably didn’t quite get the trip.
“It’s great for Alex who bought him and also has a good share in him, and it’s wonderful to have a winner at Royal Ascot. For a son of Frankel to win a race over this distance is pretty unusual, but if anyone can make his progeny slow it’s me!”
Williams was then congratulated by his old boss, Martin Pipe, and during a selfie session with the former master of Jump racing, he declared: “When I worked for him he always said I was deaf.”
Williams hopes to pull off a stamina-laden, Royal Ascot double this week, for he will saddle Dr Marwan Koukash’s Magic Circle in Thursday’s G1 Gold Cup.
THE GRAND VISIR PROVES BEST
Top-weight The Grand Visir (12/1) captured the £90,000 Ascot Handicap for trainer Ian Williams.
Ridden by Richard Kingscote, the five-year-old son of Frankel ran on strongly in the home straight to take the lead entering the final furlong.
The Grand Visir kept on well all the way to the line to deny 7/1 chance Buildmebuttercup, who stayed on to take second for Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore.
Kingscote, recording his sixth victory at Royal Ascot, said: “The Grand Visir settled beautifully and I never had to get after him round there.
“I know it’s only June, but a winner at Royal Ascot make a bad year a good year so I’m pleased to get a winner on the board.
“My lad has form on soft ground which helped and we were getting through the ground fine.
“Ian Williams is a dual-purpose trainer, but a very good one at that. I’ve had some good winners for Ian and it is great to have another one for him.”
PLENTY TO BUILD ON FOR BUTTERCUP
Buildmeupbuttercup, trained by Ireland’s champion Jump trainer Willie Mullins, finished second by a length and a quarter to The Grand Visir in the £90,000 Ascot Handicap.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the five-year-old chestnut mare was a 7/1 chance.
Patrick Mullins, the amateur jockey son of the trainer, said: “We’re delighted. Ryan gave her a fabulous ride, and thought she just didn’t quite stay, so it was a great run.
“I’ll be trying to get her for the amateur maiden in Galway, but it’s more likely to be something like the Ebor [at York]. She should get in at the bottom of the weights for those nice staying handicaps. The first and second were a good way clear of the third. We might just come back a bit in trip.”
Moore agreed: “It was a good run,” he said.
The third-placed horse, Time To Study (Jim Crowley), was trained by Ian Williams, who was responsible for the winner, The Grand Visir. Time To Study finished three and a half lengths behind Buildmeupbuttercup.
“He ran great,” said Crowley.
5.00pm Ascot Handicap, 2m 4f
1 The Grand Visir (CLXX) Ian Williams 5-9-10 Richard Kingscote 12/1
2 Buildmeupbuttercup (J Turner) Willie Mullins IRE 5-9-01 Ryan Moore 7/1
3 Time To Study (K Sohi) Ian Williams 5-9-06 Jim Crowley 16/1
4 Fun Mac (Angela McAlpine & Partners) Hughie Morrison 8-9-01 P J McDonald 11/1
13/2 fav Mancini (7th)
19 ran
Time: 4m 28.34s
Distances: 1¼, 3½, 2¼
Tote Win: £14.00 Places: £2.45, £2.55, £5.05, £2.20 Exacta: £123.00
Breeding: b g Frankel (GB) – Piping (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))
Breeder: Qatar B’Stock, Ecurie Monceaux & Skymarc
Ian Williams – 1st Royal Ascot winner
Richard Kingscote – 6th Royal Ascot winner
