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Saddler's Rock Takes Stobart Doncaster Cup
09/09/11

1 Saddler's Rock 11/2
2 Opinion Poll 11/8F
3 Motrice 9/2
NR: Dayia (IRE)
7 ran Distances: 4l, 1¼l, 8l
TIME 3m 49.83s (fast by 1.17s)

John Oxx scored with his first runner in Britain this season on Thursday when Alanza prevailed and he maintained his 100% record as Saddler's Rock ran out an impressive winner of the Stobart Doncaster Cup.

Saddler's Rock
© Caroline Norris

The three-year-old appeared to be the first under pressure turning into the straight on Town Moor, but Niall McCullagh did not panic even though Frankie Dettori appeared to have all options covered on Opinion Poll.

The favourite took over at the head of affairs from Motrice a furlong out, but Saddler's Rock had plenty in the tank and once in the clear, the 11-2 chance rattled home to win by four lengths and looks a big player in the major races next season.

McCullagh said: "He's a very economical little horse and he only does what he has to. When I gave him a squeeze three out he took off, but I didn't want to get there too early. He finished his race off well and he'll be a nice Cup horse next year."

Jimmy O'Neill, Oxx's assistant, added: "He's very relaxed, he just goes through the motions at home.

"He's from the last crop of Sadler's Wells. We've had a few but he's the best. He'll make a cracking Cup horse for next year and we might put him away now."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Saddler's Rock J M Oxx	N G McCullagh 8st 1lbs	11 - 2 Winner
2	Opinion Poll M Al Zarooni	L Dettori 9st 4lbs	11 - 8 4 lengths
3	Motrice Sir Mark Prescott	P Hanagan 8st 12lbs	9 - 2 1 1/4 length
4	Bergo G L Moore	G Baker 9st 1lbs	12 - 1 8 lengths
5	Tastahil C Hills	R Hills 9st 1lbs	12 - 1 1 length
6	Blue Bajan D O'Meara	D Tudhope 9st 4lbs	14 - 1 10 lengths
7	Tactician M L W Bell	E Ahern 9st 1lbs	13 - 2 1/2 length
NonRunner	Dayia Mrs L Pearce	Jim Crowley 8st 12lbs	-