Royal Ascot Beckons For Latest Winner by Gleneagles

Royal Ascot now beckons for Royal Lytham (2c Gleneagles - Gotlandia, by Anabaa), after the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt made a winning debut at Navan on Saturday.

Seamie Heffernan rode the bay to chase the leaders, improving into third with a furlong left to travel, before switching right in the final 200 yards and race between horses, quickening well to score by three parts of a length. Dark Vader, who led for much of the way, was consoled with runners-up honours, finishing half a length in front of Prince Of Naples (Holy Roman Emperor) in third.

On his troubled passage to success, Heffernan commented, “I travelled strong and I would have been a very unlucky loser. He won easy. You'd like his attitude, attitude is a big plus and he's one of them that could be anything. He won very easy.”

Bred by Haras du Logis Saint Germain, Royal Lytham was bought by MV Magnier as a yearling for €180,000. He becomes the second winner out of his dam, a Listed winner and Group 3 placed, from the family of Group 1 Fillies Mile heroine Glorosia.