Monarchs Glen gives Frankie Dettori a winner at Newmarket
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Monarchs Glen sent favourite-backers home happy by obliging as the 7-2 market leader in the concluding Darley Club Stakes at Newmarket.
A narrow winner of a Listed event at Goodwood last month, the John Gosden-trained three-year-old continued his progression with a clear-cut success in this nine-furlong Group Three under Frankie Dettori.
Robin Of Navan was second ahead of Spark Plug in third.
Dettori said: "He's difficult. I don't look forward to riding him because he's very powerful.
"He's getting better and the hardest part is getting on him.
"He's got plenty of ability and he's going the right way.
"I think that could be it for the year, but he could be a nice four-year-old."
Mark Johnston and PJ McDonald combined to land the Darley Nursery with 16-1 chance Rufus King.
The Iffraaj colt had disappointed in four starts since winning at Ascot in July, but back on a sounder surface and with headgear removed, he was in determined mood.
Having made most of the running, Porth Swtan emerged as the final challenger, but Rufus King dug deep to hold him at bay by half a length.
Johnston said: "He's a horse that's been in and out in form. We've questioned his temperament and resilience.
"We put blinkers on last time and that didn't work out.
"We have had doubts about soft ground for a while and that was the true horse."
Eartha Kitt came home best to claim Listed honours in the Darley EBF Stallions Boadicea Stakes.
Tom Dascombe's filly has enjoyed a fine season, with a York handicap success backed up by some solid placed efforts in Listed and Group Three company.
She was a 5-1 shot for her latest assignment and although last week's course and distance winner Pixeleen battled her way to the front inside the final furlong, Eartha Kitt and Richard Kingscote picked her up late in the day to secure victory.
Marie Of Lyon finished with a rattle to deny Pixeleen the runner-up spot.
Queen Kindly was right on their heels in fourth.
Kingscote said: said: "She has done phenomenally well this year.
"The way we've been riding her I've ended up getting a bit far back a couple of times and at Pontefract (in August) she missed the break.
"Today nothing came from behind and we just sat her a bit more positive.
"She does hit a bit of flat spot in her races but she picked up well."
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