Hero of the Hour – Bob Grace

In his humble response to his first win after 38 years of racing at Royal Ascot, winning groom Bob Grace provided much needed cheer to racing fans everywhere along with his trusty companion Battaash

Prior to setting off to Royal Ascot yesterday, groom Bob Grace remarked: “Never done a winner in 38 years at Royal Ascot, I think I’ve got a jinx on the place… If I haven’t got a winner tomorrow, I won’t be back there. At least I’ll have the mask on, so no one will know it is me.”

Thankfully for ‘Big Bob’s’ legion of fans, his trusty companion Battaash pulled it off. After romping home first in the King’s Stand Stakes as the 5/6 favourite – seeing off both Equilateral and Liberty Beach – for trainer Charlie Hills, the two stars of the day got to celebrate live on the telly.

Speaking to ITV1’s Matt Chapman – who lightheartedly quipped “you’re not a typically sized stable lad Bob” much to the amusement of the groom – Grace surmised: “He didn’t miss a beat. He was on his A game… He hasn’t done badly in two tries, three tries before today… Nearly as good as [Bristol Rovers] getting promotion.”

One Twitter user responded: “Loved the way he just wanted to get off and be with his horse” whilst another concluded: “Bob is wonderful, be like Bob.”

It was all “B’s for Bob” yesterday and no doubt he and Battaash celebrated with many a beer last night.

Cheers Bob and cheers Battaash!

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