CALLAN FEELS AT HOME IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE

If there are horses for courses there are also jockeys for races - witness Neil Callan who today rode the winner of the Buckingham Palace Handicap for the third time. To put it another way, of his four Royal Ascot successes, 75% are concentrated on this contest.

He first won it seven years ago on the Kevin Ryan-trained Uhoomagoo, then 12 months ago prevailed on Roger Varian's Eton Forever, and today he scored on Lightning Cloud, a 25/1 shot also trained by Ryan.

Callan said: "It's the third time I've won it so you would have to say it's been a lucky race for me. It's great to win any race here - for every jockey it's tunnel vision towards this meeting from the start of the year. To get any winner here is a massive thing.

"The bulk of the field went to the far side and they probably just raced a little early, because they had us at half way, but from there to the winning line we were well ahead.

"I didn't want to hit the front too soon, but my horse was travelling so well I was climbing all over them from two furlongs out. I was crying for something to kick so I had a horse to run at. When one went [Shamaal Nibras, who finished third] it put my mind at ease and my fella picked up in the final furlong to win nicely."

RYAN ON CLOUD NINE AFTER LIGHTNING STRIKES

Trainer Kevin Ryan was quick to praise owners Hambleton Racing after Lightning Cloud stormed to victory in the Buckingham Palace Stakes under a confident ride from Neil Callan.

The 25/1 winner was having his fourth run of the season and benefited from a generous pace on the nearside rail, tracking the early leaders before pouncing in the final furlong to record a length-and-a-quarter success.

The 12-strong Hambleton Racing syndicate from North Yorkshire has been with Kevin Ryan for eight years and were visibly delighted as the gelding was led back into the winners' enclosure.

"We have done a few things wrong with Lightning Cloud but we have put those right in the last three weeks and he has been working great," said Ryan.

"This horse deserved a day in the sun and I am delighted for Hambleton Racing because they have been with me from the very start and needed this day. They are great supporters of the yard and I couldn't be happier.

"Simon (Turner - who runs the syndicate) has had horses with me for ten years and Hambleton have been with me for eight. I'm not sure where he'll go next - you better ask Simon as he picks all the races for him.

"The seven furlong trip is ideal for him as basically he's a staying sprinter. It was great to have Neil (Callan) on board and great to have him back riding for us. We go back a long way and are very close friends. I'm the godfather to one of his children so it feels right that he should ride this winner for us.

"I booked Neil for this ride a month ago as he told me he would win! I thought he was a bit too confident but he's proved me wrong."

BAKER BANNED

Following the Buckingham Palace Stakes, the Stewards held an enquiry into possible interference inside the final furlong. Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race, they found that Redvers, 7^th, ridden by George Baker, had interfered with Joe Packet, 18^th, ridden by Ryan Moore. The Stewards found Baker in breach of Rule (B)54.1 and guilty of careless riding in that he manoeuvered right to create a gap. They suspended him for two days as follows: Friday 5^th and Sunday 7^th July 2013.

5.35pm Buckingham Palace Handicap

£75,000 total prize fund. For 3yo+ rated 0-105, 7f. Weights: highest weight not less than 9st 10lb; minimum weight 8-0. Penalties: after June 8th, a winner 5lb A winner of 2 races 7lb. Penalty value 1st £46,687.50 2nd £13,980.00 3rd £6,990.00 4th £3,495.00 5th £1,747.50 6th £877.50.

1. LIGHTNING CLOUD (IRE) (Hambleton Racing Ltd XVIII) Kevin Ryan 5-8-13 Neil Callan [32] 25/1

2. DREAM TUNE (Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd) Clive Cox 4-8-11 James Doyle [30] 7/1

3. SHAMAAL NIBRAS (USA) (Saeed Altayer) Ismail Mohammed 4-8-10 Thomas Brown (5) [24] 33/1

4. SANTEFISIO (Weldspec Glasgow Limited) Keith Dalgleish b7-9-06 Joe Fanning [15] 40/1

5. ES QUE LOVE (IRE) (Crone Stud Farms Ltd) Mark Johnston 4-9-02 Graham Lee [26] 25/1

6. LOVING SPIRIT (Loving Spirit Partnership) James Toller 5-9-00 Silvestre De Sousa [25] 12/1

7. REDVERS (IRE) (M Hawkes and E Hawkes) Ed Vaughan b5-9-01 George Baker [14]

8. JACK'S REVENGE (IRE) (PJL Racing) George Baker tb5-8-11 Pat Cosgrave [23]

9. BACCARAT (IRE) (Sir Robert Ogden) Richard Fahey 4-9-00 Paul Hanagan [12]

10. BERTIEWHITTLE (Norton Common Farm Racing II & JKB Johnson) David Barron 5-9-03 Graham Gibbons [10]

11. DUBAWI SOUND (Qatar Racing Limited) David Brown t5-9-10 Jamie Spencer [29]

12. MEZZOTINT (IRE) (GIB Bloodstock Ltd & J Allison) Marco Botti 4-8-13 Martin Harley [17]

13. SMARTY SOCKS (IRE) (Direct Racing Partnership) David O'Meara 9-9-00 Daniel Tudhope [27]

14. MONT RAS (IRE) (Colne Valley Racing Club) David O'Meara 6-9-00 Joseph O'Brien [28]

15. CAMPANOLOGY (Andrew Tinkler) Johnny Murtagh IRE t4-8-12 Johnny Murtagh [31]

16. DEMOCRETES (The High Flyers) Richard Hannon 4-8-11 Richard Hughes [11]

17. JAMESIE (IRE) (Damien Lavelle) David Marnane IRE 5-9-01 Pat Smullen [20]

18. JOE PACKET (Paul Moulton) Jonathan Portman 6-8-08 Matthew Lawson (5) [4]

19. EMILIO LARGO (Malcolm Denmark) James Fanshawe 5-9-02 Tom Queally [8]

20. MAVERIK (A Brooks) William Knight 5-8-12 Hayley Turner [21]

21. ENROL (Cheveley Park Stud) Sir Michael Stoute 4-8-13 Ryan Moore [1] 6/1 Fav

22. HIGHLAND COLORI (IRE) (Evan Sutherland) Andrew Balding p5-9-05 William Buick [2]

23. NASSAU STORM (The Oil Men Partnership) William Knight 4-8-12 Jim Crowley [5]

24. ANDERIEGO (IRE) (Ebor Racing Club) David O'Meara 5-9-01 Shane Foley [19]

25. POWERFUL PRESENCE (IRE) (The Lawton Bamforth Partnership) David O'Meara 7-8-11 Mickael Barzalona [6]

26. YAIR HILL (IRE) (D Emsley) Kevin Ryan 5-8-11 Phillip Makin [18]

27. THUNDERBALL (The Doncaster Racing Club) Scott Dixon p7-8-10 Billy Cray (3) [7]

27 ran Non-runner: Prince Of Johanne (Self cert - Not eaten up), Switcher (Going)

Distances: 1¼, ns, ns, ¾, ¾, ½, nk, 1, nk, 1, ¾, nk, 1½, ½, hd, ¾, 2, 1, ¾, 1, 2¼, ¾, 3, ½, ¾, 3½

Breeder: John Cullinan Breeding:5 gr g Sleeping Indian - Spree (IRE) (Dansili)

Tote Win £32 Place £7.40, £2.80, £11.70, £14.70 Exacta £295.40

Winning trainer:-Name: Ryan, Kevin Trains at Hambleton Lodge, Hambleton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire First trainer's licence: June, 1998 Background: Former jump jockey from Tipperary, partnered 47 winners during his riding career. Spent five years as head lad with Jack Berry and then three years in same capacity with Richard Fahey. First winner: Komlucky, Catterick, July 22, 1998 Major races won: Portland Handicap (2002, 2003, 2004 Halmahera), Gimcrack Stakes (2005 Amadeus Wolf), Greenlands Stakes (1999 Eastern Purple), Middle Park Stakes (2005 Amadeus Wolf), Prix de l'Abbaye (2006 Desert Lord), Racing Post Trophy (2005 Palace Episode), Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (2005 Balthazaar's Gift), Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes (2006 Wi Dud, 2008 Madame Trop Vite); Duke Of York Stakes (2007 Amafeus Wolf) totesport Ayr Gold Cup (2007 Advanced), Princess Margaret Stakes (2008 African Skies), Sapphire Stakes (2009 Benbaun), Audi King Stakes (2011 Masamah) Royal Ascot Wins (4): Buckingham Palace Handicap (2006 Uhoomagoo, 2013 Lightning Cloud),); Norfolk Stakes (2011 Bapak Chinta), Windsor Castle Stakes (2012 Hototo) First Royal Ascot Winner: Uhoomagoo, Buckingham Palace Handicap, June 22, 2006 Number of horses in training (1999-2012): 28; 40; 50; 51; 59; 65; 86; 118; 140;130; 88; 107; 97; 113 Wins (1998-2012): 6; 11; 29; 22; 54; 41; 67; 82; 95; 107; 108; 96; 107; 133; 95 Wins in 2012: 31

Winning jockey:-Name: Callan, Neil Francis Born: July 6, 1978 Based: Newmarket, Suffolk Background: Hails from County Kildare. Rode for Willie Fitzpatrick at The Curragh and Kevin Prendergast in Ireland. After a luckless spell, he had applied for a job as a kitchen fitter before joining Karl Burke in February 1998 as a work-rider on a six-month contract. After two months Burke suggested he should take out a British licence. First Winner: Dancing Lawyer (Levy Board Apprentice Handicap, Warwick, May 4, 1998 - debut ride in Britain) Big Race Wins: Oaks d'Italia (2007 Fashion Statement), Middle Park Stakes (2005 Amadeus Wolf), Gimcrack Stakes (2005 Amadeus Wolf), Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (2006 Mulaqat), Portland Handicap (2004 Halmahera, 2011 Nocturnal Affair) Racing Post Trophy (2005 Palace Episode), Persimmon Homes Flying Childers Stakes (2006 Wi Dud), Duke Of York Stakes (2007 Amadeus Wolf), Premio Roma At The Races (2007 Pressing), Topkapi Trophy (2008, 2009 & 2010 Pressing), Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (2009 Pressing), Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (2009 Bordeslescott) Fillies' Mile ( 2009 Hibaayeb) Gran Premio Del Jockey Club (2010 Rainbow Peak), York Stakes (2012 Sri Putra) Other details: champion apprentice in 1999, champion all-weather jockey 2000, 2003 and 2007 Royal Ascot Wins (4): Buckingham Palace Handicap (2006 Uhoomagoo, 2012 Eton Forever, 2013 Lightning Cloud), Wolferton Handicap (2010 Rainbow Peak) First Royal Ascot Winner: Uhoomagoo, Buckingham Palace Handicap, June 22, 2006 Wins (1998-2012): 29, 56, 80, 38, 52, 52, 126, 151, 129, 102, 170; 144; 107; 97; 76 Wins in 2013: 48