Hibaayeb survives inquiry

Ascot: Hibaayeb survived a stewards' inquiry to lose her maiden tag in the Group One Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile at Ascot…

Ascot:Hibaayeb survived a stewards' inquiry to lose her maiden tag in the Group One Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile at Ascot. Clive Brittain's youngster, an 8-1 chance, hit the front on the far rail under Neil Callan and held the strong challenge of Lady Darshaan.

You'll Be Mine finished late to grab third place.

An inquiry was called as the runners passed the post but the placings remained unaltered.

Sent From Heaven was quickly into the lead under Michael Hills while Frankie Dettori held up the favourite Long Lashes at the rear.

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Lady Darshaan came to challenge Sent From Heaven early in the straight while Hibaayeb got a run through on the fence and won by three-quarters of a length. You'll Be Mine was a further length and a half away.

However, the winner appeared to cause some interference to Lady Darshaan.

Callan said: "She impressed me last time I rode her in the May Hill

"That day she was just concentrating on beating the horse that finished third and got beat on the line.

"Today I was always pretty confident. I got a lovely run, she stretched away and quickened away like she was going to win by a couple of lengths, but she's pricked her ears.

"She's just come off a line a little bit but I've done everything I could."

Sky Bet quote Hibaayeb at 20/1 for the Investec Oaks and 25/1 for the Stan James 1000 Guineas.

Brittain added: "This filly has never stopped improving. The first two bits of work she did weren't overly impressive, then the third bit was all right and we've gradually brought her on.

"I took her to Folkestone after she got beat first time at Newmarket and she got mugged on the line. We took her to Doncaster and we got mugged again."

Speaking before the result of the inquiry was known, Stan Moore, trainer of Lady Darshaan, said: "The other jockey gave her a right whack over the head so we must have a chance of getting it. She is as hard as nails and when Jimmy Fortune rode her last time he said she was definitely one for the Classics next year."

Aidan O'Brien said of You'll Be Mine: "She is a beautiful filly and this was good experience for her because she was in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. That is it now, she is finished for the year."

Charlie Hills, assistant to his father, Barry, said of Sent From Heaven: "Michael (Hills) felt the interference has cost us third, but she has still run a terrific race.

"She has started to go in her coat and she's finished for the year."

Joshua Tree powered home for the Aidan O'Brien team to win the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes.

The 12-1 chance, ridden by Colm O'Donoghue, was the stable's second string on jockey bookings but showed a devastating turn of foot in the Group Two.

However, he drifted right across towards the far rail and appeared to hamper a couple of rivals inside the final furlong.

Joshua Tree strode clear to win by a length and a quarter from Waseet with Vale Of York a head away third.

It was no surprise that a stewards' inquiry was called but the result was allowed to stand.