G3 Ascot victory by Blue Point

Blue Point was always in command in the six-furlong G3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot, UK, on Saturday, October 7 and held on to win by a half-length on ground softer than ideal for him.

This was the three-year-old Shamardal colt’s second Ascot G3 triumph this year, having started 2017 with an impressive course and distance victory in the Pavilion Stakes in May.

Blue Point, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick who was having his comeback ride after eight weeks off because of injury, broke smartly and soon led.

He raced a bit keenly initially, but settled into a good rhythm and enjoyed a definite advantage before going clear over a furlong from home.

Getting a bit lonely in front, Blue Point wandered to his left and then right in the final furlong before keeping the fast-finishing Projection at bay with other eight runners finishing well spread out. His winning time came to 1m 16.24s on ground officially described as good to soft.

The smart sprinter previously finished a close third in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June and came fourth, also over six furlongs, in the G1 Sprint Cup on heavy ground at Haydock Park on September 9.

Charlie Appleby said: “I am delighted for the horse and William whose first ride back this was.

“It was good that both got back to winning ways.

“We will see how Blue Point comes out of the race before deciding what to do next.

“He is a far better horse when racing on a sound surface and today’s ground was against him.

“We will consider the G1 sprint on British Champions Day back at Ascot in two weeks’ time if conditions are in his favour, but we will also think about preparing him for a Dubai campaign early next year.”

William Buick remarked: “We were quite concerned about the ground as Blue Point is a better horse on fast ground. He has shown today he’s quite versatile making all the running into a headwind on pretty slow ground.

“He’s a good horse and I believe he’s staying in training so we’ll see more of him next year.

“It’s fantastic to come back like this and I have to thank a lot of people. First of all, Sheikh Mohammed and his family who has been very supportive all along and this horse is not a bad ride to come back on, so thanks to Charlie and all the team at home.

“I am just glad to be back and thankfully I didn’t make any mistakes. This year’s three-year-old sprinters are a fantastic bunch and Charlie and everyone at home have had no qualms about Blue Point.

“We have always thought he was right up there with them and he’s a horse that is going to be dining at the top table with all the others.”