Symonds thrilled to see Royale Margaux make her mark

Tom Symonds was delighted to finally get a win out of Royale Margaux at Warwick on Saturday.

The seven-year-old is a half-sister to the Grade One winner Royale Pagaille, but since joining the yard from France in January 2023, she had been winless in 14 runs.

Royale Margaux was in the process of running a career best in the Listed event at Warwick and when You Wear It Well took a last-flight fall, she was best placed to take full advantage.

“It was lovely. I was under no illusions about the race, looking at her rating compared to the rest,” said Symonds.

“She’s not been tricky so to speak, but when she arrived here she wasn’t a novice chaser, so I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I often wonder whether some of those coming from France are not that well handicapped.

“But back over hurdles this year, because she isn’t very big, it seems to suit her better, as she’s not making as much effort at the obstacles.

“She won a Grade One, I suppose in name only, in Merano in Italy and she won a Listed race at Auteuil and a Listed race now at Warwick, which is quite an achievement, I wouldn’t have thought many have done that before!

“It’s down to her, as she’s got the most amazing constitution.

“I suppose the naysayers may say she was lucky with the faller at the last but that is the first time I’ve really seen her speed up when she came off the bridle.

“I’m thrilled because Ben (Poste) was very keen to have a go at it and I wasn’t so sure, but he knew how the race would pan out and he was spot on.”

As for future plans, there is nothing set in stone.

Symonds said: “It’s hard to know what to do now. You’d have to be taken aback by the way she did it, so a lot will depend on what the handicapper does.

“I suppose the second horse (Sunday Soldier) slightly holds the form back in terms of ratings, as would she. Her owner (Simon Davies) might be keen to give her some fancier entries and, to be honest, we’ve probably got a year left with her before she goes to stud.

“As a relative of Royale Pagaille, which is odd in itself given they both came from France and have ended up two miles apart, I’d be looking for a booking with Blue Bresil (sire of Royale Pagaille). Better ground might give us more options.”