Royal Ascot: Hand Of God scores for Harry Charlton

On the 38th anniversary of the Diego Maradona goal that knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup, Hand Of God was an appropriate winner of the Golden Gates Stakes at .

Having rounded off his juvenile campaign with a maiden victory at Newmarket, the Harry Charlton-trained colt won on his handicap debut at Sandown Park in April and was a 9-4 favourite to complete the hat-trick in the hands of .

The son of Churchill picked up well once asked to go about his business and passed the post with a length and three-quarters in hand over Cambridge, with third.

It was a deserved victory this week for Charlton after King’s Gambit came from the clouds to finish second in the Hampton Court Stakes in the same colours on Thursday, while was beaten just a short head in the Jersey Stakes earlier on Saturday’s card.

Charlton said: “Hand Of God didn’t have a great trip again, but he had a clear run at least this time. He picked up very quick from the three to the one and William said he almost got there too soon.

“The plan was to try to sit mid-div and not to be three off the rail. I think he was further back than mid-div and three off the rail at some time, so it wasn’t perfect, but he picked up great.

“Mohammed Jaber has had a tough week, watching King’s Gambit, and we all thought we were a bit unlucky that day, so for him to get a winner is so important.

“I think Hand Of God is still a 10-furlong horse; he’s got a great mind and is good physically. He’s not done much wrong and I guess he’s probably due a step up in class. He works with King’s Gambit and Kikkuli, so we were all quite confident.”

Buick said: “I know there were a few non-runners, but to be drawn 17 at a mile and a quarter is a notoriously hard draw. We got in where we could and got a lovely rhythm. To be honest, when he picked up early in the straight, he was pretty instant and progressive to the line. He gave me a really good feel. He is very comfortable at a mile and a quarter, and I would say that he’s been needing this trip. He is a young horse going places.”

He added: “King’s Gambit in the Hampton Court was a very unlucky loser. We kind of lost it at the start, unfortunately, where we got back and then the race was getting away from us. There wasn’t much of a pace and it was very much a plan B sort of ride. It wasn’t the plan to ride King’s Gambit like that at all, but it was through unfortunate circumstances and he ran very well to finish as close as he did. I believe he should have won, but he’s a nice horse for the future, and Hand Of God winning now gives some compensation.”