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Henrythenavigator wins St James's Palace Stakes at Ascot

17/06/2008

Henrythenavigator enhanced his growing reputation by winning the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot today.

Odds-on favourite at the start, he came from the back and held on comfortably despite a strong challenge from Raven's Pass who finished second and Twice Over who came in third.

Johnny Murtagh led the 4-7 favourite to a three-quarters of a length victory, a win that delighted his trainer Aidan O'Brien.

"He's a great horse and I think it's very hard to say that we'll get a better miler than this lad," he explained.

"He has speed, stamina, class and he picks up - he has a great attitude and Johnny rode him with so much confidence," he added.

Elsewhere, Equiano was a surprise winner in the King's Stand Stakes after being 22-1 at the race start.

Ridden by Olivier Peslier, the horse fought off the challenge from Takeover Target and Fleeting Spirit.

In the Queen Anne Stakes, Haradasun raced to the line ahead of Darjina after the 5-1 shout looked out of contention early on.

A photo-finish was needed to separate the two, with Finsceal Beo coming in third but Murtagh rode to what was to be his first winner of the day.

"He's very tough and genuine and they are trained and ridden hard in Australia and I knew he'd improve from his last run," the jockey said.