Fallen Angel set for winter break after Ascot disappointment

Fallen Angel will be given a well-earned break before returning next season after rounding off an otherwise excellent campaign with a below-par run at Ascot on Saturday.

Karl Burke’s mare completed a Group One hat-trick with victories in the Prix Rothschild, Matron Stakes and Sun Chariot and was given another chance to take on the boys at the highest level in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco Champions Day.

However, after forcing the pace, the grey faltered late on and finished a well-beaten 10th behind the shock 100-1 winner Cicero’s Gift.

Burke reports Fallen Angel to be none the worse for the experience and she will be back as a five-year-old next term in search of further top-level honours.

“She’s fine, things didn’t go quite as we wanted them to and once she’s in behind horses she doesn’t do a lot really,” said the Spigot Lodge handler.

“I’m not saying for a minute we would have troubled the leaders, but I think she’s a lot better than that bare run.

“She owes us nothing, she’s had a brilliant season and she’ll have a nice rest now and come back next year and we’ll be targeting all those fillies’ Group Ones.”