Bet365 Bunbury Cup
Heritage Handicap, Newmarket 17:10 £120,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 2
Saturday 9th July 2016

1 Golden Steps 7/1F
2 Heaven's Guest 9/1
3 Mutawathea 9/1
4 Growl 8/1
NR: Boomshackerlacker (IRE), Kickboxer (IRE), Perfect Pasture, Squats (IRE)
16 ran Distances: ¾l, nk, shd
TIME 1m 23.99s (slow by 0.99s)

Golden Steps asserts to win the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket under Frankie Dettori

Golden Steps
© Racehorse Photos

Frankie Dettori just had to sit and press the button to make the decisive move in this very competitive handicap after Mutawathea, Heaven's Guest and Glory Awaits had been prominent early.

Heaven's Guest, a previous winner, and now twice placed in the race as well, stuck on well for second, three-quarters of a length away, with Mutawathea a neck back in third and Growl fourth.

The visibly-thrilled winning trainer said: "I'm absolutely delighted, we've had this race in mind for him for some time so it's a big thrill for it to pay off.

"He's seen it out well, he loved the ground and Frankie gave him a great ride although I thought for a minute that he was just getting there too soon but he ran to the line and he's a very solid, honest horse.

"He's very versatile and we'll probably go for the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood now. The owner is keen to have a runner at Goodwood, as he sponsors the meeting with Al Shaqab.

"He won the consolation race last year but he should get into the Stewards' Cup this year.

Winning jockey Frankie Dettori said: "I'm married to the horse, I ride him in all the big handicaps!

"He's got a mind of his own but when he's on a going day like today, he's pretty good. He likes straight tracks and things worked out well for him today.

"He's the sort of horse that would be tailed off when sent off favourite, but he runs in all the big handicaps and he will always pop up at least once in a season."

Of Heaven's Guest, trainer Richard Fahey said: "I don't think the draw in one helped us. He just loves these big mile handicaps.

"Growl was fourth and the other horse [Farlow] was sixth. Heaven's Guest is a star, Growl could drop back to six furlongs if we wanted. I'm happy with it all… but we didn't win!

"All three horses are back in the International at Ascot and if we got soft ground there, that would suit them all.

"Growl is in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood and there are plenty of big handicaps for the others."

Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)
£120,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 2
16 ran
Going: Good to Firm (Watered)