Indestructible 'Hits Form at Right Time' in Craven Win

Kevin Stott missed out on a Classic trial winner for his retainer Amo Racing at Newmarket Apriil 19 but put that right 24 hours later when steering Indestructible  home in the Craven Stakes (G3), the traditional warm-up for the Two Thousand Guineas (G1).

The son of Kodiac made his first start for Karl Burke a winning one when outgunning The Foxes  and was slashed to 14-1 (from 100) by Paddy Power for Classic glory back on the Rowley Mile.

The 8-1 chance twice chased home leading Guineas fancy Chaldean  last summer when trained in Ireland by Michael O'Callaghan and will now bid to make it third time lucky on May 6.

Always up with the pace set by the eventual third Dancing Magic , Indestructible ran down The Foxesclose to home to score by a length and a quarter.

Burke said: "It's brilliant as the horses have just hit form at the right time. If you'd asked me about his chances two weeks ago I was pulling what's left of my hair out. He's a lovely horse and we had a couple of niggles with him when he arrived but he's been working well recently. Because of those niggles he's having a good blow and he'll come on for this."

He added: "I didn't have him last year but I've watched all of the replays and I'd imagine the deep ground didn't suit him when he was second to Chaldean at Doncaster. I'd have to fight (Amo Racing's) Kia (Joorabchian) not to send him back here in two weeks' time but he deserves to take his chance. I feel sorry for Michael, but I took a phone call before Christmas asking if I would take the horse and you don't turn down horses of his caliber."

Stott was recording his biggest win in the Amo Racing colors since being appointed to the job in February and was making amends for picking the wrong one in the Nell Gwyn Stakes (G3) the previous day, which was won by Amo's Mammas Girl . 

"The Mammas Girl situation was one of those things and I'm sure it won't be the last," said Stott, who tackles another One Thousand Guineas trial for Amo on Saturday on Magical Sunset  in the Fred Darling Stakes (G3) at Newbury. "This is my biggest winner since joining Amo Racing, but all the big horses are only just coming out and its great for Karl and his team as well. 

"He's only just got the horse and it's the first time I've sat on him but he had him in perfect shape. I couldn't pull him up at the end and I'm very much looking forward to the Two Thousand Guineas as I expect he'll be better in a stronger run race."

The Foxes will not be having a rematch with the winner next month as he is set for a step up in trip. Owners King Power's representative Alastair Donald said: "He's run a great race and he got a bit tired in the end, but we've always thought that he would want further. He won't go for the Guineas but he's going to take the Dante (G2) route to the Derby, which is a tested route and one that we expect will suit him."

Roger Teal, trainer of third-placed Dancing Magic, said: "He's run an absolute cracker and the plan is to take him to the Dante and then on to the French Derby (G1). He was coming back at them up the hill and will stay well."