English/Ire
Humidity hangs tough to claim Chesham honours
Wathnan Racing enjoyed another victory at this year’s Royal Ascot when Humidity struck in the opening Chesham Stakes.
On what could be another big final day of the Royal meeting for the powerful Qatari connections, who will be hopeful Lazzat can strike in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, Humidity ensured they got off to the best possible start when battling on to score under James Doyle.
Andrew Balding's colt was purchased by his new connections from Cheveley Park Stud following a narrow debut victory at Newbury earlier in the season and was upholding family honour being a full-brother to Holloway Boy, who stunned racegoers when making a winning start in the same race for Karl Burke in 2022.
Always towards the fore down the centre of the track, the striking chestnut son of Ulysses travelled powerfully in the hands of James Doyle before showing a willing attitude to fend off a late challenge from Thesecretadversary by a length.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Moments Of Joy also moved powerfully towards the far side, but her run petered out in the closing stages and she ultimately had to settle for third, while Charlie Appleby's torrid week at Ascot continued as his 5/4 market leader Treanmor could only manage to finish a well-beaten fifth following an impressive debut success at Newmarket.
"This is the horse that we had the highest hopes for this week, so I am delighted he has got the job done. He is just a lovely horse to have in the yard," said Balding.
"He had to battle hard today. He has done nothing wrong, and I would hope that he will stay further, but he is not short of speed either. He is so laidback.
"I am a big fan of Ulysses. I think he is an underrated stallion, so this is good for him. We have a couple of other nice horses by him, and Humidity is an absolute dude."
Paddy Power cut the winner to 20/1 (from 33s) for next year's 2000 Guineas, with Balding hopeful that he can make up into a Classic performer.
He said: "This was always the plan, and we will now work back from something nice in the autumn. I think he could be a Guineas horse. He is not short of speed and has a lovely long stride. I think he has a bright future."
Doyle added: "I remember that, when it was spoken about that this fella was on the radar, I texted Oisin, 'what's Humidity like?' and he just texted me the rocket emoji back, so I was a bit excited when he said that!
"He is very genuine. He has speed, but he is not a sit and sprint job. It is more that he gets in that rhythm and keeps floating. I think he will stay a mile."
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