Copyright mirror
Henrietta Knight could have discovered a new star from the stable where she sourced National Hunt legend Best Mate. Loustic Du Chatel, who carries the colours of Liz Prowting, turned Ascot's concluding bumper into a procession. Jockey Brendan Powell junior was five lengths in front soon after the start and built up a huge lead on the 11-2 chance. Their advantage only continued to grow, getting up to 25 lengths at one point - and although Loustic Du Chatel tired a little, he never looked like being caught. "Ladies and gentleman you have watched somebody rob the others of a race!" said commentator Ian Bartlett, as Powell celebrated his third winner of the afternoon. The stewards held an enquiry into the running and riding of all beaten horses and no action was taken. Knight, who famously sent out Best Mate for a Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick in successive seasons (2002-4), said her four-year-old recruit came to Berkshire with a good reputation. "I didn't think he would stop, he has got an amazing stride," she told Sky Sports Racing. "I have always loved this horse, I bought him from the Costellos where I got Best Mate. He has schooled around two point-to-point courses in Ireland and they always thought a lot of him. I'm really proud of him." Powell said he was "just a passenger" as the son of Masked Marvel and first foal of an unraced sister to fairly useful chaser Valseur du Granval charged clear. "There's only five runners, no-one wanted to make it, so I thought there was no point trying to wrestle him in behind if we were going slow," he added. "He didn't really take a breath until we turned in, so he has obviously got a bit of an engine. We will just have to work on the brakes a little bit!" Prowting, who has owned many good thoroughbreds including Grade One target-hitter Annacotty, was thrilled with the 11-length display. "First time ever on a racecourse, I couldn't believe what I was looking at!" she said. "I'm very excited. I have been very lucky (to own good horses) and everyone has been wonderful with him." Sky Sports Racing pundit Jamie Lynch said Powell leisurely built up his advantage - and suggested his weighing room colleagues "managed to misjudge what was needed under the circumstances." "The rest can't catch them," he said. "The sectionals were key, that horse did not run fast."
