Campanelle grabs Commonwealth Cup in the Steward’s room

In weather conditions we aren’t used to seeing at Royal Ascot, the action out on the track was far from damp as Campanelle and Dragon Symbol fought out a thrilling renewal of the Commonwealth Cup, with the Wesley Ward trained runner coming out on top. But not without a lengthy Steward’s enquiry.

Frankie Dettori aboard Campanelle jumped well and made pretty much every yard of the running in the 6f contest, and second race in the QIPCO British Champions Series Sprint category. Approaching the final furlong and a half, Oisin Murphy had galvansied his mount Dragon Symbol and made ground quickly to hit the fron with Campanelle.

A leave-nothing-on-the-line battle followed all the way to the line, with Dragon Symbol first past the post – the distance a head.

Head on cameras after the race appeared to show some interference on the run-in and the Stewards took a similar view. After a lengthy enquiry, with views from both riders, the result was reversed and Campanelle promoted to first place. The Archie Watson-trained Dragon Synmbol certainly lost no credit, but was ultimately demoted to second.

After the race Wesley Ward seemed confident his mount would get the nod, and when the result was announced said “In the US we already would have took our picture and be drinking champagne”.

Ward had a few near misses earlier in the week, but his final runner at Royal Ascot 2021 meant he didn’t return to the States empty handed.