Wootton Bassett Juvenile Enters Royal Ascot Picture

Military Code (2c Wootton Bassett – Wishfully, by Invincible Spirit) emerged as a smart prospect when making a winning debut in Thursday’s five-furlong novice stakes at Newmarket.

The Charlie Appleby-trained newcomer raced prominently throughout under William Buick, who gave the reins a shake two furlongs from home. Ridden a furlong later, he kept on to score by a length and a half, with another three lengths and three quarters back to the third.

“We came here with a bit of confidence,” Appleby later revealed. “Military Code had done some nice work and as a physical specimen, you can't fault him. He was a bit green at the start but he's done it professionally and picked up well. We'd hoped he'd be an Ascot type.”

A Godolphin homebred, the Wootton Bassett colt becomes the first winner out of the mare Wishfully.