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| Staff Writer |
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Ralph Beckett, the Hampshire-based trainer, celebrated a one-two finish in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Nursery Handicap at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, as Mr Chaplin stormed home late to snatch victory from his stablemate, Original Outlaw.
The contest saw Original Outlaw, ridden by Hector Crouch, pull clear from his 15 rivals and appear set for victory. However, Mr Chaplin , who still had six horses to pass at the furlong marker, found reserves under jockey Rossa Ryan to swoop late and land the spoils by a neck.
While El Burhan, trained by George Boughey, finished another length and a half back in third, while Sunshine State claimed fourth place in the handicap.
Beckett, who notched his 14th Qatar Goodwood Festival winner with this success, praised both his runners. "To win from that draw [12] takes a bit of doing. The Gunthers own half of Original Outlaw but bred Without Parole [Mr Chaplin's sire], so they will have mixed feelings as well! But they have a nice horse on their hands. I thought the second was my best chance of the day, not the winner, because of the draw. But the winner might be better than I thought he was," Beckett said.
The trainer also shed light on the contrasting running styles of his two horses. "I don't think Original Outlaw was stopping – the reason he hasn't got it done in maidens or novices is that he needs this kind of test; the big field suited him today. The race kind of fell apart in front of him and Hector had to kick on. The winner did it really well from that draw. He was never given any luck and he might be a bit better than we thought. I didn't think he had it in him," Beckett added.
Looking ahead, Beckett hinted at potential targets for his runners. "I think we would be keen – if all the owners are on board – to maybe go to the seven-furlong nursery at the Ebor meeting with Original Outlaw. I hope after today he has worked out what's required. I didn't feel he had up until now," he said.
Rossa Ryan, who celebrated his 7th Qatar Goodwood Festival winner, praised Mr Chaplin's performance. "I had the most terrible run round. Mr Chaplin would have been a very unlucky story from a bad draw. He has to be a decent animal to do what he did," Ryan said.
The jockey also highlighted the potential for Mr Chaplin to step up in trip in the future. "The Coventry Stakes didn't work out for him, but he was crying out for this trip and a mile might be on the cards soon. He is a lovely horse and one to keep on the right side of in future," Ryan added.
George Boughey, trainer of the third-placed El Burhan, offered his assessment of the favourite's performance. "He definitely wants the mile and the ground was probably too lively for him. He is still a nice horse, who is learning," Boughey said.
Mr Chaplin, a son of Without Parole, was purchased for £120,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale in 2021. The colt, who carries the colours of Anoj Don, had previously shown promise when finishing fourth in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Original Outlaw, a son of Ulysses, had also displayed talent in his earlier starts, finishing second in a maiden at Newbury and a novice race at Newmarket. The Gunther family, who own a half-share in the colt, have enjoyed success in recent years, most notably with the multiple Group One winner Without Parole.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Nursery Handicap, run over seven furlongs, is a contest for two-year-olds and has been won by some high-class performers in the past, including future Group One winners Pinatubo and Wootton Bassett.
As the Qatar Goodwood Festival continues, racing enthusiasts will be keen to follow the progress of Mr Chaplin and Original Outlaw, who both look set to make their mark in the world of juvenile racing.