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Staying-on third for Secret Protector in G3 Hampton Court Stakes

Racenews

Secret Protector bounced back to form with a closing third in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes on day three of Royal Ascot, Thursday, 17 June.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt, a five-length second in the Listed Newmarket Stakes at the start of May, broke slightly awkwardly and was held up in last of the field for much of the 10-furlong contest by James Doyle.

He started to make stealthy headway around runners turning in and galloped out strongly in the straight, narrowly missing out on second by head, to go down by just under two lengths in total.

Charlie Appleby said: “We are very pleased with Secret Protector, who has bounced back from a disappointing effort last time out and confirmed the promise of his run behind Highland Avenue at the Craven meeting.

“Hopefully, he might receive an invitation for the G1 Belmont Derby (Saturday, 10 July) on the back of this and we can look at taking him out there.”