CHIBERTA IS KING IN QUEEN ALEXANDRA

Trainer Andrew Balding was already eyeing a return trip to Royal Ascot in 2014 after 8/1 shot Chiberta King recorded a narrow head victory in the final race of this year's Royal Meeting, the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

The seven-year-old is often seen over hurdles during the National Hunt season but he landed the biggest race of his career to date despite jockey Jimmy Fortune losing his reins in the final part of the race.

Balding indicated that Chiberta King would be heading back hurdling this winter but was hopeful that he could come back here next year for another crack at this race.

"We're delighted with that and it looked like Jimmy didn't need his reins in the end!" quipped Balding.

"Jimmy is so strong in the saddle that I don't really think it would have made a difference either way. He's given him a peach of a ride and it's nice to sign off the week with a winner as it's been a tough few days.

"We might bring Chiberta King back again next year. I am so thrilled with the horse and for the owners because they are a great bunch.

"He is seven now and we bought him when he was yearling but he has been such a good servant and the lad, who looks after and rides him everyday, has done a fantastic job."

FORTUNE FAVOURED IN FINALE

Jockey Jimmy Fortune had to wait until the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes to make the scoresheet for Royal Ascot this year when holding off Shahwardi by a head to score aboard Chiberta King.

"He's a lovely old horse. He's tough, he loves a battle, he stays well and he's very genuine. He's what you want," said Fortune. "I wasn't confident I was going to win until we got over the line because I was waiting for Frankie (Dettori on Shahwardi) to come and pounce as I knew he was aboard the class horse in the field. But luckily my fellow pulled out a bit more when Frankie got to me.

"Ironically, this horse normally makes the running but today they went off very quick and he wasn't really going early but that has probably won him the race.  It's been a long time coming but thank God we got a win."

Frankie Dettori, who finished second on the 3/1 favourite Shahwardi, commented: "He (Chiberta King) just outstayed me. I was there to win but mine was empty and the winner was just a better stayer than mine."

Reflecting on his week, Dettori added: "I have had some good rides - it is brilliant to be back at Ascot and I have had four seconds including three today."

5.35pm Queen Alexandra Stakes

£60,000 total prize fund. For 4yo+, 2m 6f. Weights: 4yo colts and geldings 9st; fillies 8st 9lb; 5yo+ horses and geldings 9st 2lb; mares 8st 11lb. Penalties: after June 18th, 2012, each Class 3 race or Class 2 race won 3lb for each Class 1 race won 5lb (handicaps excluded the purpose of penalties) (penalties cumulative and maximum penalty 10lb). Penalty value 1st £37,350.00 2nd £11,184.00 3rd £5,592.00 4th £2,796.00 5th £1,398.00 6th £702.00.

1 CHIBERTA KING (The Pink Hat Racing Partnership) Andrew Balding 7-9-02 Jimmy Fortune [16] 8/1

2. SHAHWARDI (FR) (Tony Bloom) Alain de Royer-Dupre FR 7-9-02 Frankie Dettori [5] 3/1 Fav

3. SEASIDE SIZZLER (I Heseltine) Ralph Beckett 6-9-02 Jim Crowley [18] 16/1

4. FIRST AVENUE (Laura Mongan) Laura Mongan 8-9-02 Joe Fanning [13] 40/1

5. CLOUDY SPIRIT (Norma Harris) Andrew Hollinshead 8-8-11 Jimmy Quinn [15] 40/1

6. NO HERETIC (Fitri Hay) David Simcock 5-9-02 Jamie Spencer [19] 13/2

7. SOHAR (G B Partnership) James Toller 5-8-11 Kirsty Milczarek [12]

8. CUL BAIRE (IRE) (Mrs U Manning) Jim Bolger IRE 5-9-02 Kevin Manning [14]

9. MASHAARI (IRE) (P Martin) Brian Ellison 4-9-00 Kieren Fallon [1]

10. PALAZZO BIANCO (The Palazzo Bianco Partnership) Brian Ellison 5-9-02 Dale Swift [9]

11. COURTESY CALL (IRE) (Alan Spence) Nicky Henderson 4-9-00 Neil Callan [7]

12. RIPTIDE (Middletons) Michael Scudamore 7-9-02 Paul Mulrennan [4]

13. COSIMO DE MEDICI (Bevan, Doyle & Lawrence) Hughie Morrison 6-9-02 Richard Hughes [3]

14 AMERICAN SPIN (G Collacott & R Gadd) Luke Dace 9-9-02 Pat Dobbs [10]

15. JUNIOR (Middleham Park Racing LI) David Pipe 10-9-02 Ryan Moore [17]

16. STOPPED OUT (The Well Oiled Partnership) Philip Kirby 8-9-02 Daniel Tudhope [20]

17. YAZDI (IRE) (The Neardown VI) Charlie Mann 4-9-00 Silvestre De Sousa [11]

18. MAD MOOSE (IRE) (Middleham Park Racing XXXV & Partners) N A Twiston-Davies 9-9-02 William Twiston-Davies [2]

PU OCEAN'S MINSTREL (W McLuskey) John Ryan 7-9-02 Graham Lee

19 ran Non-runner: Meganisi (Bruised foot)

Time: 4m 51.49s  Distances: hd, 1½, nk, ¾, nk, ½, sh, 8, nk, 29, 39, 2, 4, 17, 11, 2½, 87

Breeder: Watership Down Stud, Breeding: 7 b g King's Best (USA) - Glam Rock (Nashwan (USA))

Tote Win £10.60 Places £3.30, £2, £5.50 Exacta £32.30

Winning trainer:- Name:Andrew Balding Born: December 29, 1972 Based: Kingsclere Stables, Newbury, Berkshire Background: Son of former trainer Ian Balding, who retired at the end of 2002 having won the 1971 Derby with Mill Reef as well as a many other top races. Attended Radley College before obtaining a degree at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, during this time he rode as an amateur and spent working holidays with trainers Nigel Twiston-Davies and Dan Hendricks in California. After leaving Cirencester, joined uncle Toby Balding's Fyfield Stables as amateur. In just over 100 rides he rode 20 winners under Rules, including The Horse and Hound Cup and The Moet and Chandon at Epsom. In 1997 joined Yorkshire based trainer Lynda Ramsden for two seasons. During this time he was closely associated with horses such as Nuclear Debate, Hawksley Hill, Bishops Court and Top Cees. The latter joined the Kingsclere team when Ramsden stopped training in 1998 and Andrew returned home assist his father. Andrew is now married to Anna Lisa who is personal assistant to Andrew's sister Clare, the BBC racing and sports presenter. Classic Successes: (1) Investec Oaks (2003 Casual Look) First Winner: Easter Ogil, Bet Direct Football Cashbacks Classified Stakes, Lingfield, January 11, 2003 Other Major Wins: Canadian International (2003 Phoenix Reach), Dante Stakes (2012 Bonfire), Darley Oettingen-Rennen (2003 Passing Glance, 2012 Highland Knight), Diomed Stakes (2004 Passing Glance, 2012 Side Glance), Dubai Sheema Classic (2005 Phoenix Reach), Hong Kong Vase (2004 Phoenix Reach), Play The King Handicap (2005 Vanderlin), Samsung St Leger Yearling Stakes (2007 Dream Eater) ladbrokes.com Stakes (2007 Buccellati), intercasino.co.uk St Simon Stakes (2008 Buccellati), betchronicle.com Ormonde Stakes (2009 Buccellati), Sovereign Stakes (2011 Side Glance, 2012 Tullius) Royal Ascot Wins (2): Wokingham Handicap (2007 Dark Missile) Queen Alexandra Stakes (2013 Chiberta King) First Goodwood winner: Phoenix Reach (July 29, 2003 - Peugeot Gordon Stakes) Total Goodwood wins: 16 (6 at July Meeting) Number of horses in training (2003-2012):114; 128; 133; 128; 120; 121; 136; 136; 147; 167 Wins in a Year (2003-2012): 54; 48; 40; 48; 39; 67; 68; 78; 70; 93 Wins in 2013: 39.

Winning jockey:-Name: Fortune, James Joseph. Date of birth: 14/6/72 Apprenticeship: With Mike O'Neill. English Classic Wins (1): Ladbrokes St Leger (2007 Lucarno) Big wins Include: Coolmore Matron Stakes (2009 Rainbow View), Darley Yorkshire Oaks (2009 Dar Re Mi), Audi Pretty Polly Stakes (2009 Dar Re Mi), Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes (2009 Virtual), Cheveley Park Stakes (2008 Serious Attitude), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2008 Raven's Pass), Premio Vittorio di Capua (2007 Linngari), Sussex Stakes (2006 Court Masterpiece), Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile (2004 Playful Act, 2005 Nannina), Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes (2002 Oasis Dream), Prix de la Foret (2001 Mount Abu), Racing Post Trophy (1998 Commander Collins) Royal Ascot Winners (15): Queen Mary Stakes (1999 Shining Hour), Royal Hunt Cup (2002 Norton, 2007 Royal Oath), Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap (2003 Waverley), King Edward VII Stakes (2005 Plea Bargain), Coronation Stakes (2006 Nannina), Wokingham Handicap (2006 Baltic King), Jersey Stakes (2007 Tariq), Windsor Forest Stakes (2007 Nannina), Norfolk Stakes (2007 Winker Watson), Ascot Stakes (2007 Full House), Ribblesdale Stakes (2008 Michita), Hardwicke Stakes (2009 Bronze Cannon), Tercentenary Stakes (2011 Pisco Sour), Queen Alexandra Stakes (2013 Chiberta King) Leading Rider at Royal Ascot: 2007 (5 wins) First Goodwood win: Fraam (Anne Frances Stevens Memorial Stakes, September 11, 1992) Goodwood winners:71 (20 at July Meeting) Wins (1988-2012): 8, 29, 47, 32, 26, 25, 56, 46, 83, 78, 108, 94, 91, 71, 92, 46, 72, 95, 77, 110, 87, 73, 77, 67, 66 Wins in 2013: 17.