Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup |
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| Group 2, York 14:30 £160,000 added, 3yo plus, 2m 88y, Class 1  |
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| Friday 19th August 2016 | |
1 Quest For More 9/2
2 Pallasator 7/2
3 Wicklow Brave 6/1
7 ran Distances: 3½l, nk, 3¼l
TIME 3m 32.57s (slow by 4.07s)
Quest For More makes all to win the Lonsdale Cup for Roger Charlton and George Baker. Pallasator was second and Wicklow Brave third
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George Baker sent his mount straight to the front and never saw another rival, finding plenty for pressure when challenged by Pallasator (7/2) and the strong-travelling Wicklow Brave.
Ultimately it was Pallasator who threw down the strongest challenge and briefly looked set to take over entering the final furlong, but Baker had kept something back and his mount went on again approaching the line.
Wicklow Brave found less than had perhaps looked likely for third, while Trip To Paris (fourth) and Clever Cookie (fifth) were both off the bridle early although the former ran an encouraging race on his return to two miles.
Baker said: "Pulling up was harder than the race itself. I think a change of tactics helped, I was a bit too negative on him at Goodwood.
"We had a chat and thought we'd roll along and keep it simple. I thought if he turned up on the day he had a massive chance. He's a very willing partner and really relaxed in front.
"All credit to the team at home, it's not the easiest thing to do to get them back from Melbourne."
Winning trainer Roger Charlton said: "It's so nice having those old stayers. He improved a lot last year and this year we were hovering a little bit and weren't quite up to our form.
"Nothing went right for him. We wanted to run him in the Ascot Gold Cup and it was too soft. It started raining today and I thought our chances were diminishing.
"I thought George gave him a superb ride and it looked as though he could go round again.
"I thought it would suit him in front. Every time he runs over a mile and six his jockeys say his best furlong was the one past the line.
"He takes a bit of time to get going. It was like that in the Melbourne Cup. I think he's a genuine stayer."
Appearing to rule out another Melbourne bid, Charlton added: "I like to see the horses and be with them a lot and that's very difficult when they're on the other side of the world.
"He's a fragile horse and needs looking after and I think I'd rather look after him here in England.
"The ground dictates where he goes. Maybe the stayers' race in Dubai might be nice for him.
"He's not a hard horse to train so we just keep him fit and run him when he has his ground. With regards to Ascot (Champions Day) the ground might be better this year with it being on the inside track so we'll just see."
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Sir Mark Prescott was again delighted with Pallasator, who has hardly run a bad race this season and continued that trend in the Group Two contest.
He said: "It was a tremendous run, but the winner is back to his best. The first two kept going all the way, so I'm very happy.
"I had intended to go straight to Doncaster (Doncaster Cup), but this looked winnable."
Trip To Paris was having the second start of his delayed comeback following his run in the Japan Cup back in November.
Trainer Ed Dunlop said: "I'd say it was a satisfactory run, without being startling.
"He's getting back to where he was. He needs racing and I only wish there were more races like this.
"As for plans, we'll get him back home and think about it."
Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup
(British Champions Series)
£200,000 added, 3yo plus, 2m 88y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm
| Pos | Dr | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | (7) | Quest For More (IRE) 9/2 | G Baker 9-3 |
R Charlton | 6 | |
| 2nd | (2) | 3½ | Pallasator 7/2 | Oisin Murphy 9-3 |
Sir Mark Prescott | 7 |
| 3rd | (3) | nk | Wicklow Brave 6/1 | P J Smullen 9-3 |
W P Mullins | 7 |
| 4th | (1) | 3¼ | Trip To Paris (IRE) 10/3f | G Lee 9-3 |
E A L Dunlop | 5 |
| 5th | (4) | 1 | Clever Cookie 7/2 | P McDonald 9-3 |
P D Niven | 8 |
| 6th | (5) | 13 | Suegioo (FR) 28/1 | P Hanagan 9-3 |
R A Fahey | 7 |
| 7th | (6) | 8 | Curbyourenthusiasm (IRE) 7/1 | J P Spencer 9-3 |
D M Simcock | 5 |
