Prince Of India produced the performance Marco Botti had hoped for, even if the way it came about was nothing like the plan.
Returning to Newmarket only seven days after finishing behind Coppull in the Group Two Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, the four-year-old made the quick turnaround count with a determined success over six furlongs in the Hopeful Stakes.
Newmarket race results provided a notable afternoon for Botti, with Prince Of India showing the benefit of a track where the trainer believes the horse is at his best.
The victory was secured from the front, despite Botti expecting Prince Of India to settle behind the leaders. Pat Dobbs allowed the horse to find his rhythm after breaking sharply, and the decision proved decisive.
Prince Of India travelled strongly through the race and continued to find enough when Elarak emerged as the principal challenger in the closing stages. The Charlie Hills-trained runner had finished third over a furlong farther in the Bunbury Cup at the same track but could not bridge the gap this time.
Prince Of India pulled clear to win by two lengths, with Elarak finishing second.
The result offered a welcome reward after a season in which Prince Of India had repeatedly shown his ability without getting the result his connections wanted. His sixth-place finish over course and distance in the July Cup had also suggested there was more to come, while his Newbury effort a week earlier had kept him firmly in the frame for another opportunity.
Newmarket proved the right setting for that opportunity.
Botti had been reluctant to run the horse again so quickly, but the colt returned from Newbury in excellent condition. The trainer also felt the familiarity of the July Course made the risk worth taking.
Prince Of India now holds an entry at Doncaster, although a return to the track for the Group Two Park Stakes appears less likely. Botti is instead looking towards the Group One British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.
Ground conditions will be an important factor. The trainer believes Prince Of India is best suited by quicker ground and would prefer to avoid a soft surface.
The meeting also produced a valuable success for Night In Vegas, who showed his class when stepping down from Group company to win the £200,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes.
The Eve Johnson Houghton-trained colt arrived after finishing fifth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and third in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. Dropped into a sales race, Night In Vegas travelled strongly and produced the necessary acceleration when the opportunity arrived.
Zigazig Ah appeared to have the race under control after moving clear during the closing stages, but Night In Vegas responded impressively. Callum Hutchinson brought the colt through inside the final furlong and he went on to score by a length and a half.
The victory continued an impressive progression for the youngster, who had won his first two starts before stepping into stronger company. His connections now have several options, including a possible trip to Doncaster for another valuable two-year-old contest before a potential appearance at Ascot.
Hutchinson completed a double on the card when Arqoob prevailed by a short head in the Blackwell Earthmoving 70th Anniversary Handicap Stakes for Lucy Wadham.
Earlier in the afternoon, Great Balls O’Fire made a winning debut in the opening Nags Head Cutting British EBF Novice Stakes.
The Richard Spencer-trained son of Too Darn Hot had attracted attention before making his first appearance and justified that confidence with a professional display over six furlongs.
Racing towards the outer side of the field for much of the contest, Great Balls O’Fire picked up the pace when George Wood asked for a final effort. The newcomer stayed on strongly to finish a length and a half ahead of Sky Symphony.
The performance provided an encouraging start for a youngster who had cost 135,000 guineas as a yearling and had been regarded highly by his connections. There is likely to be more to come as Spencer considers the next step.
For Newmarket, the afternoon belonged to a collection of horses at different stages of their careers. Prince Of India gained the reward that had been elusive all season, Night In Vegas strengthened his credentials after competing successfully at a higher level, while Great Balls O’Fire gave his connections an early glimpse of what may lie ahead.
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