QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle
Grade 2, Limited Handicap, Ayr
£70,000 added,
4yo plus,
2m, Class 1
Saturday 12th April 2014

QuinnBet

1 Cockney Sparrow 12/1
2 Court Minstrel 8/1
3 M y Tent Or Yours EvsF
11 ran Distances: 2¼l, 1¾l, 3¼l
TIME 3m 45.90s (slow by 6.90s)

Cockney Sparrow sprang a surprise under 7lb claimer Dean Pratt to floor My Tent Or Yours in the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.

Cockney Sparrow
© Racehorse Photos

Cockney Sparrow

The John Quinn-trained mare came with a devastating late burst from the final flight to get up in the last 100 yards.

Court Minstrel, who won this race 12 months ago, was two and a quarter lengths back in second, with the even-money favourite My Tent Or Yours, anchored by his big weight, another length and three-quarters away in third.

Quinn said: "Dean knows her very well and I don't think she likes being crowded. He was very clever on her. When he switched her wide it looked like she might be placed, but then she quickened up again. She won here on the Flat and she's got tactical Flat speed.

"We were going to keep her for the Grade One mares race at Punchestown, but it was six weeks away after Cheltenham so we came here first. She's a good ground animal so I'll keep her going until the autumn."

Pratt added: "It worked out well enough. I missed the middle one down the back and I lost my position a bit so I gave her every chance turning in, and I had my eye on My Tent Or Yours and I could see AP (McCoy) pushing going to the last.

"I knew this filly would stay and she galloped all the way to the line. She was only five lengths behind Quevega at Cheltenham and she would have been third if she had not been hampered.

"I ride her out every day at home. She gave me one of my biggest days last year when I rode her at Aintree to win the boys' race. I never thought I'd get the chance to get back on her, as she'd be running in Listed races and I wouldn't be able to use my claim.

"It was great to get back on her today so it's huge thanks to the boss and Mr Gaffney (owner) for putting me back on her."

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QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap)
£70,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
11 ran
Going: Good to Soft


Horse
Trainer
Jockey
Weight
SP
Distance
1
Cockney Sparrow
J J Quinn
Dean Pratt
10st 4lbs
12 - 1
Winner
2
Court Minstrel
Evan Williams
Adam Wedge
10st 8lbs
8 - 1
2 1/4 lengths
3
My Tent Or Yours
N J Henderson
A P McCoy
11st 10lbs
1 - 1
1 3/4 length
4
Swing Bowler
D Pipe
Mikey Ennis
10st 4lbs
33 - 1
3 1/4 lengths
5
Ifandbutwhynot
D O'Meara
R Johnson
10st 4lbs
33 - 1
3 3/4 lengths
6
Flaxen Flare
G Elliott
D J Condon
10st 6lbs
12 - 1
3 1/4 lengths
7
Montbazon
A King
R Thornton
10st 4lbs
7 - 1
1 1/2 length
8
Clever Cookie
P D Niven
K Renwick
10st 4lbs
7 - 1
9 lengths
9
Barizan
D McCain Jnr
Sam Twiston-Davies
10st 4lbs
50 - 1
3/4 length
10
Silk Hall
J J Lambe
B Hughes
10st 4lbs
100 - 1
86 lengths
PU
Cotton Mill
J P Ferguson
Jack Quinlan
10st 4lbs
16 - 1
       

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