Huge run by Santry at Royal Ascot

The Harbour Watch two-year-old Santry ran a huge race to finish second in the Gr.2 Norfolk Stakes today at Royal Ascot for trainer Declan Carroll.

Racing clear of the main group on the stands side, he was unfortunate to be beaten by just half a length by Sioux Nation who was running on the far side.

This powerful colt owned by Ray Flegg, John Bousfield and Steve Ryan, remains one to follow as it marks him down as versatile regards underfoot conditions. He has also been an impressive winner of both his last starts, a Novice Stakes at York (pictured) and the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster on debut.

Trainer Declan Carroll said: "We've been a bit unlucky, as Santry doesn't do much in front, but we're still very proud of him. He might get an entry in the Nunthorpe but he will get further. He isn't just a five-furlong horse, so he might get a Middle Park entry as well."

Jockey Jim Crowley said: "If the other horse had been my side, we'd have won. My horse just gets to the front and thinks he's done enough. He always had everything beat on the stands' side, unfortunately he had nothing to battle with. He's a very good horse and he handled the ground well."

Santry was bred at Peter Molony's Rathmore Stud in Co Limerick and was purchased by Declan Carroll for €24,000 from the Goffs Sportsman's sale. Carroll knows the family well as he also trains the colt's half-sister Pull The Plug.

From Harbour Watch's second crop, Santry is yet another Gr.2 performing two-year-old for his young sire, as Tis Marvellous won the Gr.2 Prix Robert Papin last year. This three-year-old colt is next set to run in the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot tomorrow.