Favourite Taamol justified persistent market support to narrowly take the King Charles II Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute.
2.40 Newmarket - Betway King Charles II Stakes
1st Taamol (15/8F)
2nd Larchmont Lad (7/2)
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Taamol responded to Jim Crowley's urgings to hold off the late challenge of Larchmont Lad and take the Betway King Charles II Stakes.
Fourth on his seasonal return a month earlier at Newcastle, the Helmet colt had been the subject of some positive gallops report since and was steadily supported in the build-up to the contest, going off 15/8 having been 9/2 when betting first opened on the Listed contest.
He travelled nicely against the stands' rail and edged past leader Seven Heavens, producing an improved effort under a change of tactics at the furlong-pole.
Having hit the front, he required plenty of stoking up from Crowley, but the winner had done enough to just hold the late challenge of 2000 Guineas ninth Larchmont Lad by a head.
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Angus Gold, racing manager to the winning owner, said: "Obviously we are thrilled to win a Listed race with him.
"He has got a lot of talent but just has that quirk of hanging left. He hung left on his first run and when Jim (Crowley) first went for him this time, he hung left again.
"He has got the job done and obviously the rail has helped. We will obviously talk to Sheikh Hamdan.
"We could possibly go for the Jersey at Royal Ascot, although he might come back to six (furlongs). The Jersey would be the obvious next step, though."
