Michita bounces back from Epsom flop to slam Ribblesdale rivals

Updated: 13:13 EST, 19 June 2008

Michita went some way to restoring the reputation of the Ribblesdale Stakes by chalking up what will surely be one of the most comfortable victories seen at Royal Ascot all week.  

Two glaring trends were against John Gosden's filly, with 10 years having passed since a favourite obliged and the stats also moving against horses who had run in the Oaks before tackling this Group Two.

Storming success: Michita romps away with the Ribblesdale

 
But while Michita took her chance at Epsom nearly two weeks ago, she was eased home to finish seventh and her status as 100-30 market leader here was strengthened by what appeared to be a less than stellar supporting cast.  

Arthur's Girl (7-1) interested many punters as a fresh opponent from the shrewd Geoff Wragg yard.  

Although she gave chase up the home straight, she was never any serious competition for Michita as Gosden's filly bounded away by three and a half lengths under Jimmy Fortune.  

Gosden said: 'I think Jimmy was sensitive to the fact she fell down the hill in the Oaks. She went into the hill in about sixth place and came out 14th, which isn't a lot of help when you're trying to run the straight there. 

'I think because he had the intelligence to leave her alone in the last two furlongs, rather than just wildly ride her, it has been the difference between winning and getting beaten today.  
'If they don't handle Epsom, they don't handle it.  

'We'll give her a break now and go for the Yorkshire Oaks. She might compete against the colts as a four-year-old but not this season. 

'The Oaks winner (Look Here) is very good and I think we should match them up again and see what older fillies are out there too.'

Veteran Newmarket trainer Wragg was fined £800 after an unpermitted substance was found in the possession of his travelling head lad.  

He will continue his careful approach with Arthur's Girl, reflecting: 'She's run a blinder and has fully justified the step up in grade.  

'I knew she had a bit of class and when she won at Salisbury, she quickened up so well and showed a lot of speed.  

'The long-term aim is the Park Hill and we'll take in another race on the way.'

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Look Here, saddled 11-1 chance Hobby, who made a brave attempt to make all before weakening into third.  

He said: 'I'm thrilled to bits as the winner has hosed up and she finished a long way behind our filly at Epsom.  

'We were guessing about the trip and ground. I thought she would get the trip but she didn't like this ground as a two-year-old, though she's more resilient this year.

'Seb Sanders said he wished he had cranked it up a bit earlier but I don't think it would have made a big difference.  

'I think she'll get further so the Park Hill is a possibility.'

Richard Hughes was given a two-day ban (July 3-4) for careless riding aboard Icon Project.