Ancient Egypt

“We were thinking about Chester or Lingfield for Ancient Egypt, but when I saw this race was cutting up I thought we'd have a go. He disappointed here in the Royal Lodge last year, but he's grown up a lot over the winter and David Egan and Rowan have ridden him at home this year and said to go a mile and a half, which is why we made the running over this shorter trip. I would say all roads lead to Epsom after that and he handled the Dip well here which is encouraging - Charlie Johnston, trainer.It's the first time I've seen Ancient Egypt and Charlie [Johnston, trainer] thought maybe a mile and a quarter was on the short side but he was very determined and finished the race strongly. He ticked all the boxes today and he's done nothing wrong but I'll leave that to Charlie and Kia [Joorabchian, owner] to see if there's a race for him before Epsom - Frankie Dettori, owners' global brand ambassador.Ancient Egypt isn't quite the finished article yet, he's still a bit of a baby but he's a horse who is going to mature with time. He looks like he'll get further so he'll have plenty of options - Rowan Scott, jockey.”

“I get nervous before a race when nothing but winning will do and we would have been disappointed with second. Ancient Egypt was a bit coltish beforehand and it took a while for the penny to drop, but he won it comfortably enough. He doesn't win gallops at home by much, but always sticks his neck out - Mark Johnston, trainer's assistant.”