Jockey Eddie Ahern settled the 9-1 chance just off the furious pace set by Debussy and always looked to be travelling smoothly when others were being scrubbed along. When they entered the straight, stable-mate Native Ruler took over the running but Ahern was tracking him and still looked to have a lot of horse beneath him. He kicked 2f out taking over the lead and staying on gamely to repel the challenge from Your Old Pal and Black Bear Island inside the final furlong to score by four lengths.

After the race a delighted Cecil said: “I always thought this race was our best chance of a winner all week with one horse or other. “Father Time clearly wants a trip, he is own brother to Passage of Time who didn’t really get 1m4f but he gets it extremely well. “The St Leger is worth thinking about but before this I hadn’t given it much thought. “The horses have been running very well this week, with good placings without winning, but it’s great when you find a winner at Royal Ascot.”

This was Cecil’s first winner at Royal Ascot for seven years and the momentous applause that greeted the Warren Place maestro when he entered the winner’s enclosure was clear evidence that the crowd were delighted to see him back where he belongs.

Congratulations to Henry and his team from everyone at ProSportive.

The Group 1 feature has attracted a suitably classy entry, including the Observatory colt, who made the frame in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month.The mile at Newbury is a minimum distance for Twice Over and stepping back up to 10f should suit. However, his best form has come with a little ‘give’ in the ground, so connections wouldn’t mind a shower or two ahead of the race.Cecil said: “Twice Over is in good order and will hopefully have a chance in the Prince Of Wales’s. Some rain will be beneficial to him.”

Thursday is a busy day for Cecil with Flame Of Gibraltar pencilled in for the Ribblesdale, while three-year-old colts On Our Way and Hyades also hold entries.On Our Way, not seen since finishing fourth in a Newmarket Listed race in April, has the 10f Hampton Court Stakes as his objective.Cecil said: “I think the trip will suit him and he is in good form.”Hyades, seemingly stretched by 10f at Newmarket last month, is back down to a mile for a shot at one of the most competitive handicaps of the season, the Britannia.
His handler said: “Hyades did not get the mile and a quarter at Newmarket, so will come back to a mile for the Britannia. It is always a hot contest but he should give a very good account of himself.”

Friday sees Cecil double-handed for the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes with Father Time and Native Ruler entered up.Native Ruler has given plenty of encouragement on the gallops since his satisfactory effort in the Dante Stakes. Father Time has made the frame in stakes races on his last two starts and Henry expects both ‘to run well’.Chachamaidee will be the only Warren Place two-year-old to see action at the meeting. She won on her debut at Lingfield last week - ‘She has taken her race well’, says Henry - and will be asked to try and follow up in the Group 3 Albany Stakes.Cecil summed up: “We haven’t a very large Ascot team, but I feel that those we will be sending will run well.”

Every one of our Ascot runners (along with all the horses on our yard) are given ProSportive supplements daily to protect their joints..ProSportive wish Henry and his runners all the best at Royal Ascot 2009

Dee Kennedy reports that her Badminton ride , Big El, has finished the event this year in better form than ever before at the age of 19!
A best ever Dressage and foot perfect cross country round kept Dee in contention. Unfortunately three down in show jumping dropped them down the rankings, but this mid-table position thrilled Dee, and she was even happier that “Elliott” finished the gruelling Three day test in such fine fettle.
“Everyone knows that El is of an age now” says Dee. “The Triflex I use every day keeps his joints supple and protected, and I use ProSportive Pro-Power to keep his topline and muscle function in perfect order”
“ProSportive products have kept my horse competing at the very top level at the age of 19..I can’t give a better compliment than that!”