New Royal Ascot Hopeful For Starspangledbanner

Clive Cox is looking forward to a trip to Royal Ascot after his charge Star Anthem (2c Starspangledbanner – Ihtifal, by Dansili) ran out an impressive winner of Monday’s five furlong maiden at Bath.

The son of Starspangledbanner was beaten a neck in a Newbury maiden on debut last month and was sent off favourite to go one better under Richard Kingscote. The bay made all of the running and began to draw clear approaching the final furlong, keeping on well to score by four lengths.

Speaking after the race, Cox said, “He ran super for the first time at Newbury and the form of that race has worked out really well and he took a nice step forward there. He was very at home on the track and the ground and we like the way he's progressing.

Looking forward, the trainer continued, “He's a really strong, well-grown colt and I'm pleased we've managed to get two positive runs into him. We'll let him keep his strength now and hopefully he'll be good enough to go to Ascot. At the moment five furlongs is far enough, he hits the line well, so I'd be looking at the Windsor Castle or the Norfolk.”

Owned by The Stargazers and bred by Peter Moloney, Star Anthem is a half-brother to the highly-rated Chartwell House (Churchill).