Harry Charlton celebrated a first Royal Ascot winner in his own right after Hand Of God won the Golden Gates Handicap.
Wiltshire-based Charlton, who shared the licence with his father Roger when Thesis won the Britannia Handicap two years ago, had gone close on a couple of occasions this week, including with the luckless King’s Gambit in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes.
Hand Of God, like King’s Gambit is owned by Mohammed Jaber, came around rivals in the straight before posting a decisive near two-length victory under William Buick. Cambridge finished second, with Black Run a three and a half lengths further back in third.
Charlton said: “Hand Of God didn’t have a great trip again, but he had a clear run at least this time. He picked up very quick from the three to the one and William said he almost got there too soon.
“The plan was to try to sit mid-div and not to be three off the rail. I think he was further back than mid-div and three off the rail at some time, so it wasn’t perfect, but he picked up great.
“Mohammed Jaber has had a tough week, watching King’s Gambit, and we all thought we were a bit unlucky that day, so for him to get a winner is so important.
“I think Hand Of God is still a 10-furlong horse; he’s got a great mind and is good physically. He’s not done much wrong and I guess he’s probably due a step up in class. He works with King’s Gambit and Kikkuli, so we were all quite confident.”
Buick said: “I know there were a few non-runners, but to be drawn 17 at a mile and a quarter is a notoriously hard draw. We got in where we could and got a lovely rhythm. To be honest, when he picked up early in the straight, he was pretty instant and progressive to the line. He gave me a really good feel. He is very comfortable at a mile and a quarter, and I would say that he’s been needing this trip. He is a young horse going places.”
He added: “King’s Gambit in the Hampton Court was a very unlucky loser. We kind of lost it at the start, unfortunately, where we got back and then the race was getting away from us. There wasn’t much of a pace and it was very much a plan B sort of ride. It wasn’t the plan to ride King’s Gambit like that at all, but it was through unfortunate circumstances and he ran very well to finish as close as he did. I believe he should have won, but he’s a nice horse for the future, and Hand Of God winning now gives some compensation.”
5.40pm Golden Gates Handicap
1 Hand Of God (Mohammed Jaber) Harry Charlton 3-9-00 William Buick 9/4F
2 Cambridge (Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Peter Brant) Aidan O’Brien IRE 3-9-09 Wayne Lordan 17/2
3 Black Run (Valmont & P F I Cole Ltd) Paul & Oliver Cole 3-9-07 Jamie Spencer 16/1
12 ran
*Harry Charlton – 1st Royal Ascot winner in own right
William Buick – 36th Royal Ascot winner
*trained one Royal Ascot winner in partnership with Roger Charlton.