York Racecourse

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Knot In Wood Delivers in Sky Bet Dash
25/07/09

1 (3) Knot In Wood 9/1 (C2F2)
2 (8) Barney McGrew 28/1
3 (16) Excusez Moi 14/1
4 (19) Kaldoun Kingdom 9/1 (C2F2)

Knot In Wood showed just what a battler he is as he stuck his neck out for a narrow verdict over Barney McGrew in the Sky Bet Dash at York.

Richard Fahey's charge (9-1) was well-ridden by apprentice Barry McHugh, who buried him in the pack down the centre of the track before producing him in the last two furlongs.

Barney McGrew made a real fight of it, going toe-to-toe throughout the final furlong, but Knot In Wood shaded it in a photo at the line.

McHugh said: "He's tough as old boots and I'm pleased to get the ride back.

"Tom Eaves is probably one of the strongest jockeys in the North, but my horse dug deep for me."

Fahey is at home recovering from a double hernia operation, but winning connections were effusive in their praise for McHugh.

Robin O'Ryan, assistant to the Malton handler, said: "Barry is a great lad to have in the yard and he deserves all the plaudits.

"The horses are running out of their skin - we'll see how he comes out of this as to whether he'll go for the Stewards' Cup or not."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Knot In Wood R A Fahey	B McHugh 9st 9lbs	9 - 1 Winner
2	Barney McGrew M Dods	T Eaves 9st 3lbs	28 - 1 Head
3	Excusez Moi Mrs R Carr	S De Sousa 9st 0lbs	14 - 1 1 3/4 length
4	Kaldoun Kingdom R A Fahey	P Hanagan 8st 10lbs	9 - 1 3/4 length
5	Tajneed D Nicholls	A Nicholls 9st 1lbs	14 - 1 Nose
6	Intrepid Jack H Morrison	T Block 9st 9lbs	20 - 1 Neck
7	Mullein R M Beckett	Jack Mitchell 8st 12lbs	16 - 1 Head
8	Al Khaleej E A L Dunlop	J Quinn 9st 8lbs	10 - 1 1 1/4 length
9	Pusey Street Lady J Gallagher	T P O'Shea 9st 4lbs	14 - 1 1 length
10	Roker Park K A Ryan	N Callan 9st 1lbs	11 - 2 Head
11	River Falcon J S Goldie	G Bartley 9st 0lbs	16 - 1 Nose
12	Cheveton R J Price	J Doyle 9st 1lbs	18 - 1 1 1/2 length
13	Damika R M Whitaker	M Stainton 9st 1lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
14	Aldermoor S C Williams	D Allan 8st 10lbs	25 - 1 2 1/4 lengths
15	Striking Spirit D Nicholls	M Fenton 9st 6lbs	10 - 1 3/4 length
16	Valery Borzov D Nicholls	F Norton 9st 10lbs	14 - 1 1/2 length
17	Bond City G R Oldroyd	J-P Guillambert 8st 9lbs	50 - 1 4 lengths
18	Viking Spirit W R Swinburn	L Dettori 9st 1lbs	14 - 1 2 1/2 lengths
19	Something D Nicholls	P M Quinn 9st 1lbs	14 - 1 8 lengths
NonRunner	Biniou R M H Cowell	G Gibbons 9st 8lbs