Adrian Keatley excited to be heading to Ascot with Francisco’s Piece

The two-year-old has done little wrong in his career so far, winning on debut at Pontefract and then going down by just a short head when giving weight to the winner in a York novice last month.

He headed across to Chantilly for his next assignment, contesting the five-furlong Prix la Fleche at Listed level on the same card as the Prix du Jockey Club.

There was a comfortable winner, taking the race by two and a half lengths under James Doyle to book his ticket to Royal Ascot in a fortnight.

He will target the Norfolk Stakes, a five-furlong Group Two for juveniles, but prior to the fixture he will go under the hammer at the Goffs London Sale on the evening of June 17.

The event is held in Kensington Palace Gardens and offers a small selection of horses for sale, often with Royal Ascot entries such as last year’s top lot, £1.1million purchase Givemethebeatboys.

“He came home in great nick from France, we were delighted with his performance and he did it in a great time,” said Keatley.

“He is extremely unlucky that he doesn’t have three wins to his name, he lost virtually no weight and we’re really looking forward to the Norfolk with him.

“I think he’ll be a big player, he’ll get an entry in a couple of different races but the Norfolk will be where he goes and he’ll be in the London Sale prior to Ascot.

“We’re very excited, we’re really looking forward to going to Ascot with a live chance.”

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