Qirat

“Qirat has always threatened to be a good horse, I've just never managed to get it out of him until today. He was here to set the pace and go 12-second furlongs from the front. That's what he was here to do and the longer he lasted, the better it was for everyone concerned with him. That was the idea. Having watched the clock, I think he achieved that, and the last thing I said to Richard Kingscote before he got on him was, 'Keep going on this fellow. He isn't going to stop and he could run really well here' - Ralph Beckett, trainer. I feel like a villain, but when I saw it wasn't a grey nose coming towards me I kept going. Ultimately, we were there as a helping hand to go an even gallop and we were somewhat ignored early then took a lead off Wayne Lordan. Towards the cutaway I was thinking Qirat was going well, but you always expect the horses rated 20lb higher to be coming through. I could see Rosallion coming, but my horse kept pulling out. I think Ralph [Beckett, trainer] was happy to have me on as I like being in front, like my fractions and it worked out okay. It's a bit surreal but great to be going to Hong Kong on a positive note - Richard Kingscote, jockey.”

“Conditions hadn't gone Qirat's way but he was at his best back on the easier surface. I've always thought he was well handicapped and with a bit of rain he may well have won the Britannia at Royal Ascot - Hector Crouch, rider, speaking to ITV Racing.”