Royal Ascot: Crimson Advocate comes from the last to the first in Duke of Cambridge Stakes for John and Thady Gosden | Racing news

Crimson Advocate plunged with a little style in the Final Furlong to ensure a second Royal Ascot success, this time in the Duke of Cambridge stakes.

Winner of The Queen Mary Stakes two years ago when he was formed by American George Weaver, Crimson Advocate is now with John and Thady Gosden in the colors of Wathnan Racing and came from the last to the first in the hands of James McDonald.

The comrade of Gosden and reigning champion Running Lion lion made a daring offer to do everything, but had no answer when Crimson Advocate (13/2) surrounded him with the last Furlong and moved away from the favorite Cinderella’s dream 5/4 favorite

John Gosden said: “We knew that she would lead a big race, but I did not expect her to go through these three filly. Converted, Running Lion won her last year and the second and third are the filly of group one.

“I told James to settle it and he did a good job, he has very beautiful hands and even if he had not put it together before making a wonderful grip.

“To the half -avant marker, I thought that Running Lion had it and the commentator, then this filly came with a wet sail – it was impressive for a filly which was a queen Mary filly not so long ago.

“We gave her a lot of time during the winter and worked on the regulations and she ran very well in the snow, then Robert Havlin installed her in Goodwood and she got up and won.

“Complete brands to Robert and Thady who spent their time adjusting it and she sat last here and then stunned them. I am delighted but he doesn’t do much to do with me.”

Crimson Advocate was reduced to 7/1 by 16s for the Falmouth Stakes in Newmarket next month, but the team has not yet engaged in their next move.

Gosden added: “I did not think too far and I thought it could be placed. But it did well and we will have to readjust our views.”

For the New Zealander McDonald, it was a fifth success in the Royal Réunion after having beaten a flu for the Wathnan race team this week.

He said: “You have no idea what buzz to win here, it means so much, and you can see why everyone treats the week so seriously. It is a very special place and there is nothing better.

“It was always at the limit last week, I don’t know what it was, maybe just a bad influenza case, but I should have broken a bone so as not to be here.

“I thought of an overtaking when Will (Buick, on Cinderella’s dream) did not put them aside, I had a real chance.

“As a competitor, driving for such strong stables is so nice. Wathnan is a huge team and James (Doyle, who set up Angel Fallen for Wathnan) has big decisions and once he is chosen, it’s good to fill where I can.”