Stoute is Top Trainer

18 June 2005

Sir Michael Stoute was confirmed as top trainer at the meeting when Notable Guest gave him his fourth winner over the five days by taking the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap from Crow Wood.

"That's a great honour and very pleasing for all the stable staff," he said. "It is always hard to win a race at this meeting and sometimes you don't win any."

"This is a useful horse," Stoute added in a way which suggested that Notable Guest could be better than that word implied.

"I have been very lucky that the owner (Prince Khalid Abdullah) has allowed me to be very patient with him and he is only now filling his shape and getting his full strength."

Prince Khalid's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe reflected on that comment by saying that Notable Guest has raced only a few times because he was immature. "There was nothing wrong with him, but he has just needed time.

"When he won at Newmarket I said something like he was very reasonably handicapped, and I was ticked off on all sides for saying such a thing, so I shan't repeat it. But I would think it is pretty likely he will move up to a Listed race next time."

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