Josephine Gordon warmed up for an important week with a well-timed Listed winner for Saeed bin Suroor at York.
1455 York - Best Western Hotels Ganton Stakes result
1st Arabian Hope 6/1
2nd Golden Stunner 9/2
3rd Thikryaat 9/2
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Report
Josephine Gordon warmed up for an important week at Royal Ascot as she produced Arabian Hope (6/1) with a well-timed run to land Listed honours in the Best Western Hotels Ganton Stakes.
The lightly-raced filly took the step up in grade in her stride as she completed a hat-trick after wins in a maiden and a handicap, with Gordon in the saddle on both occasions.
Last year's champion apprentice brought the Godolphin-owned filly to challenge long-time leader Golden Stunner inside the final furlong and snatch the prize by a head.
It was scant justice for the runner-up, who had set off at a fierce clip and already fought off a succession of challengers to that point, including favourite Spark Plug who loomed large two furlongs out but found little close home.
Thikriyaat stayed on down the outside of the pack for third place, three-quarters of a length behind the two principals.
Reaction
Josephine Gordon: "Four strides before the line she just got headed, but she went again for me. We were tight for room and she's only little, but she's tough and has got a big heart.
"She'd won her last two on the all-weather. I thought she might be out of her depth a little here, but she's taken it all in her stride.
"I'm delighted to have picked up some really nice rides at Royal Ascot next week and I'm looking forward to it - it's going to be an important week for me."
