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UK: Poll tops charts in Henry II

The honourably consistent Opinion Poll secured another big race in the Betfair Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

Trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni and ridden by Frankie Dettori, the six-year-old stayer could not have looked any more stylish in the Group Three over an extended two miles.

Chiberta King attempted to make the running, and did so until just before the final-furlong pole when Dettori's companion slalomed into a wide-open space and bolted clear. The 5-4 favourite had two and three-quarter lengths in reserve of Ibicenco, with Chiberta King a close-up third, to further boost his claims for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Al Zarooni said: "Frankie knows this horse very well. He held on to him as long as he could because he has a real burst of speed. In the Gold Cup it will be all about Frankie and how he times his run.

"When he came back from Dubai we gave him some time off before we built him back up again. When they travel such a long way it affects them so I don't think he'll have been at his best tonight."

Dettori added: "He's a stayer with a turn of foot and I love him. He's a pleasure to ride."


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