Perfect Power puts in perfect performance to win Norfolk Stakes

Thursday June 17 3:13 PM

Perfect Power prevailed in a blanket finish to the Norfolk Stakes as Paul Hanagan recorded an emotional success at Royal Ascot.

Trained in North Yorkshire by Richard Fahey, the son of first-season sire Ardad only got off the mark at Hamilton eight days ago.

The field split into two groups, with Go Bears Go making a bold bid on the far side looking to give David Loughnane his second winner at the meeting after taking the closing race on Tuesday, while Wesley Ward’s Lucci led the other group.

Perfect Power had plenty to do entering the final furlong, but coming widest of all in the stands side group, he began to hit top gear as close to the rail Project Dante, another northern raider, was also making gains.

Go Bears Go was still in front on the far side and had seen off Cadamosto, as it became a case of which group would come out on top.

There was nothing in it as the juveniles flashed by the post, but Perfect Power (14-1) just got the verdict by head from Go Bears Go, with the Bryan Smart-trained Project Dante a nose back in third.

Once the result was called, the joy was immediately evident for former champion jockey Hanagan, who only returned to the saddle in August last year after suffering a serious injury at Newcastle in February.