Bellum Justum Seals Royal Ascot Ticket
Bellum Justum appears to have actually earned himself a put on Andrew Balding's Royal Ascot squad after using down odds-on preferred Silver Knott in the Betfred Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.
The globetrotting Silver Knott was a well-supported 10-11 shot for his very first start in Britain because finishing down the field in the 2000 Guineas 2 years ago - and he looked likely to prevail after taking over the lead from the pacesetting Divina Grace heading towards the last two furlongs.
However, Andrew Balding's (11-2) - a Group Three winner in America last year and fitted with cheekpieces for the very first time after being well beaten on his Newbury return last month - managed to remain on Silver Knott's tail racing out of the dip and ended up the stronger to score by a length and a half under Oisin Murphy.
Balding said: "He's a classy horse, he's got some great type from in 2015 and undoubtedly the 2nd is a really excellent horse also.
"I was delighted, since he 'd been a big disappointment in the John Porter (at Newbury). He definitely needed the run that day and he's taken a huge action forward today. It's good to see him back on track.
"I think the cheekpieces helped - I believe he was pretty strong at the end of the race. It was an excellent performance.
Bellum Justum ridden by jockey Oisin Murphy on their method to winning the Betfred Jockey Club Stakes on Guineas Friday of the Betfred Guineas Festival at Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk. Picture date: Friday May 2, 2025.
"We'll wait on the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot), I would have thought. He's had a hard sufficient race there and it would be good to have runners with an opportunity for King Power (owners) at the Royal meeting.
"We'll try and we've always got the option to travel later in the year if we wish to."