Racing: Bodyguard bounces back to form

Bodyguard, almost put over the rails during a rough climax to the Norfolk Stakes, got back on the winning trail with success at Sandown yesterday.

Unbeaten going into Royal Ascot, the son of Zafonic could finish only fourth behind Tippitt Boy after he was badly impeded as the race hotted up.

But he found consolation in the three runner Wates Centenary Dragon Stakes getting the better of Queen Mary Stakes third Daunting Lady in the Listed event.

Pat Eddery set a slow early pace on Daunting Lady until quickening the tempo at halfway, but Bodyguard edged in front just over a furlong out and held the advantage to the line by a neck.

"That doesn't make up for Ascot but it's some consolation," reflected trainer Paul Cole. "We looked at the July Stakes but we wanted him to win and then go on to the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

"Time will tell us how good he is and we will wait and see how the winner of the Norfolk Stakes performs when he runs again. This was a funny race. They only went a routine canter to start with. Pat tried to be very clever and nearly got away with it. If he'd gone all the way he would have played right into our hands."

Cole plans to aim Chesham Stakes winner Central Park at the Champagne Stakes during Glorious Goodwood. Central Park defeated Cape Verde who had accounted for Muhtathir on her debut at Newmarket.

Muhtathir continued to frank the form when returning for the second of three scheduled visits to Sandown to land the Pillar Property Investments Stakes.

Winner of a maiden on his last start at the track, he continued his progress by making all to beat Classic Manoeuvre by nine lengths. His trainer John Gosden is planning a return to the track at the end of August for the Solario Stakes.