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Blue Point Just Edged Out In Richmond Stakes

Blue Point went down by a neck to Mehmas on his Pattern debut in the six-furlong G2 Qatar Richmond Stakes on day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Thursday, July 28.

Blue Point went down by a neck to Mehmas on his Pattern debut in the six-furlong G2 Qatar Richmond Stakes on day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, Thursday, July 28.

The two-year-old colt, representing Charlie Appleby and ridden by James Doyle, broke smartly and led from his three rivals.

Blue Point was joined by Mehmas and Intelligence Cross as the pace quickened approaching the final quarter mile but the son of Shamardalinfo-icon ran on well to reassert his advantage

He stayed on strongly, despite drifting right inside the final furlong, but could not repel Mehmas, who headed the Godolphin runner with 100 yards to race and tenaciously held on to gain a second G2 victory in 1m 11.00s on ground described as good to firm.

The front two pulled three lengths clear of Intelligence Cross, with a further two and a quarter lengths back to Waqaas.

Charlie Appleby said: "Our biggest concern was going to be a potential lack of pace with the four runners but we were never going to try and take Blue Point back.

"He likes to get into a rhythm and, at halfway, I was very happy with what I was seeing - he was starting to step through the gears.

"He is a horse who we still hold in high regard and we will look for something like the Prix Morny (G1, 6f, Deauville, August 21) for him. We will just have to make sure that there is some pace in the race.

"We've been beaten by a nice horse there who was placed at Royal Ascot and is a July Stakes winner. I just think it is inexperience that caught us out there.

"Blue Point has been asked to go about his business and I was really pleased when Frankie's horse came to him and we quickened and got that neck up on him. But Mehmas just has that experience and was able to outbattle us in the end.

"Blue Point will come forward for that for sure. He is still a very talented horse."

BLUE POINT