(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Racing's Bless Him won the Britannia Handicap and Frankel's son Atty Persse won the final two races at Royal Ascot yesterday.
Michael Bell and owner Bill Gredley were denied a notable double in the wake of Big Orange's Gold Cup victory as Ronald R could not catch 25-1 winner Bless Him in the Britannia Handicap.
Trained by David Simcock and ridden by Jamie Spencer, Bless Him was one a small group to race on the far side of the track, sitting on the heels of the early pacemakers in the rider's usual style.
Making his break for the front with a furlong or so to run, Bless Him picked up well but had to stick to his guns as Ronald R was making ground all the way inside the final half a furlong, but was still half a length down at the line.
Tricorn, who also raced on the far side was third, with fourth-placed Indian Dandy the first home from the main group on the stands rail.
Spencer said: 'He's a horse that's always trained lovely at home and it was our big hope that once he got into a race with a lot of pace on, he was going to be hard to beat.
'When I moved on him, he was very explosive. He went through a tight gap and I was in front plenty early.
'He was idling in front, but it's great for the Simcocks and Sheikh Fahad (Qatar Racing).
Simcock said: 'It's very special having a winner here. It's what all the hard work at home is for. He's quickened up really well and Jamie will say he's got there too soon, but he's actually taken Ronald R's gap.
'He's a talented horse and that's enough. He isn't straightforward on the racecourse, but he's very talented and at home, he's great.
Meanwhile, Big Orange held off a late charge by defending champion Order of St George to win a thrilling edition of the Gold Cup, the feature race of Royal Ascot, yesterday. The winner's jockey James Doyle took the plaudits for a superb ride, but his heart went out to Italian star Frankie Dettori, who should have been riding him but for an injured arm that ruled him out of the meeting.
'Unfortunately Frankie couldn't have got the injury at a worse time, said Doyle. 'Frankie's a real star. He called me a couple of nights ago and I was probably on the phone for about 20 minutes getting instructions and him telling me all about the horse. He was spot on.
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