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Royal Ascot News: Stoute's Bay Bridge off to Berkshire after bossing Brigadier Gerard

Sir Michael Stoute is having a renaissance in his seventies and Bay Bridge looks a good shout for either the Prince Of Wales's Stakes or the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot.

Veteran trainer Sir Michael Stoute has the Derby favourite in Desert Crown but his talent doesn't stop there as Bay Bridge bashed the field in the Coral Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park.

The four-year-old New Bay colt showed a serious turn of foot, seeing off stars such as the Gosdens' Mostahdaf and William Haggas' Addeybb.
James Wigan, who owns Bay Bridge with Ballylinch Stud, said: "He is such a big, strong boy that we rather thought in the paddock that he might need the race, so we are particularly pleased.
"We have always thought a lot of him and Sir Michael's been very complimentary about him, so it is a very nice surprise.
"I think everybody is pleased with that. Until they run, you don't know (how fit they are).
"He is in the Prince of Wales's and the Hardwicke. We will ask Sir Michael what he thinks, but I think we will will probably be inclined to stick to a mile and a quarter at the moment. I think we would have thought he would go to Group One level, and he has won a Group Three with some good horses in the race today.

"Ryan (Moore) said he did it well and showed a good turn of foot. He didn't have to get too serious with him and he is a very exciting prospect.

"What excited me was the way he quickened away from good horses. He was sitting there going easily and you could see Ryan did not want to expose him too early and he was keeping him in. There was obviously something in the tank and he didn't know what."
He added: "We thought there was something special in him last year and Ballylinch bought into him in the winter. It is very nice for them too. You feel a bit guilty if you sell a half share in a horse and it doesn't work.
"I would have thought on the dam's side a mile and a half would be within reach. Wait for the trainer - he knows about these things."
Moore said: "He picked up very nicely and went through the line well. He has won five on the spin now and seems to have stepped forward every time.

"You would be hopeful he would carry on doing that. I'm very happy with him. He is entitled to (go up to Group 1 company) as he has beaten some very solid horses there. Hopefully there is plenty to look forward to.

"He had a few issues last year, nothing major, he just had to wait but he has improved with every run."

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