2023 Royal Ascot: Elite Status now seen as favourite to win the Norfolk Stakes

Elite Status seen as front runner to win the Norfolk Stakes on Day 3 of Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot 2023 is just over the horizon, with the 5 days of enthralling action set to get underway at Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday 20^th June. The world class racing will then come to an end on Saturday 24^th June 2023.

There are a number of races taking place over the course of Royal Ascot, and one of them is the Norfolk Stakes, which takes place on day 3. The Ridler earned a shock victory in the 2022 edition of the race, beating competition from race favourite Walbank and Crispy Cat, who had to settle for second and third place respectively.

The Ridler was ridden by Paul Hanagan, who is a jockey with pedigree at Royal Ascot. Hanagan also won the Norfolk Stakes in June 2021 with Perfect Power, finishing ahead of Go Bears Go and Project Dante who filled the remaining two spots in the top three. The favourite for the 2021 race was Cadamosto, who had to settle for a fourth place finish in the end.

Now, at Royal Ascot 2023, it is Elite Status who is seen as a front runner to take home a victory in this year’s Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Ridden by Clifford Lee, Elite Status won the National Stakes on 25^th May at Sandown Racecourse. Lee was able to hold off the challenges posed by World Of Darcy, Hackman and Shayekh, who rounded off the top four.

It was an emphatic victory in the end for Elite Status, winning the race by an incredible five lengths.

Elite Status’ trainer, Karl Burke, had this to say on the victory in the National Stakes (via the Racing Post): “I think he’s a very good horse, he’s got the potential to be a superstar, he’s got the scope too.

“He’s a lovely horse with a big stride, we thought he may be a little too green on the ground but Clifford made a move to switch him out early and that was important.”

This win at Sandown was a continuation of some good form for Elite Status, as this was a second race victory in succession. Jockey Tom Eaves rod Elite Status to a win in the British European Breeders’ Fund EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse earlier this month (6^th May). Eaves managed to finish ahead of the likes of Battaah (Ireland), Lightning Point (Great Britain) and Matloob (Ireland).

Royal Ascot is approaching rapidly with anticipation and excitement only set to increase the closer we get to the opening day on Tuesday 20th June 2023.

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