Christopher Shankland's River Belle missed the start, but came from last to first to bull her way to a 1 1/4-length victory in the Princess Margaret Stakes (Eng-III) for 2-year-old fillies at Ascot on Saturday, her first group appearance for trainer Alan Jarvis.
Kieren Fallon rode the English-bred son of Lahib to victory over Rosehearty, ridden by Frankie Dettori, with Voile and Dane O'Neill third. The time was 1:55.55 for the six-furlong Princess Margaret, which was contested on a good to soft course.
"This is great for a small yard to have a top class filly like this," Shankland told
The Racing Post. "This spreads it around a bit. I've had over 100 winners Flat and jumps but if you keep going long enough you can end up with a good horse who hasn't cost serious money.
"It was interesting that Kieren opted to stay with her today. He said he liked her a lot but wanted to keep it quiet. He thinks a lot of her and was sorry she isn't in the Lowther Stakes."
Jarvis said he hopes to start River Belle once more this year.
"I would rather find her something sooner than the Fillies Mile here in September. She will be a lot better over seven furlongs and will definitely get a mile."
