Mac powers home to spark Derby dreams for Bolger camp

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Mac Swiney returned to form for a shock victory in the Galileo Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

Jim Bolger’s juvenile had managed only ninth of 10 in this month’s Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown, having previously looked a youngster going places when he beat the well-regarded Wembley in a maiden over this course and distance.

The return to the Curragh did the trick, as Mac Swiney belied his starting price of 28-1 to pounce late as both he and 4-5 favourite Cadillac surged past Ontario on either side of the long-time leader.

Mac Swiney showed just the best turn of foot to beat Jessica Harrington’s Cadillac by half a length, with the same distance back to Ontario in fourth.

He was winning a race which has been dominated by Aidan O’Brien since Bolger and Manning last won the Group Two affair five years ago.

The same trainer-and-jockey partnership were also on the mark with Mac Swiney’s sire, and subsequent Epsom Derby winner New Approach, back in 2007.

Bolger’s daughter, Una Manning, wife of the winning jockey, said: “We’re delighted with that run.

“He did it well on (soft) ground he wouldn’t really appreciate.”

A return to the Curragh and move up to Group One level is now in the offing, with connections hoping Mac Swiney – who was given a 40-1 quote by Paddy Power for Epsom – can continue to follow his sire’s path.

Manning added: “The plan now is to go for the National Stakes. When he won here the last time (dad) thought he was his Derby horse.

“We’re very pleased with him, he was very good. It seemed to be a strong race today.

“Hopefully we can get a good result in the National Stakes now, and go from there.”

In other two-year-old action to note, High Definition led home a promising one-two for O’Brien in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Wordsworth – a full-brother to the stable’s top-class stayer Kew Gardens – was sent off the 5-2 favourite for the mile contest and looked like obliging after getting a gap to overhaul Mcpherson.

But High Definition (7-1) stayed on relentlessly from the rear under Wayne Lordan to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

The winner earned an introductory quote of 33-1 from Betfair for the Derby, and Lordan said: “He won quite well and is a lovely big horse.

“He was a little raw early. Through the middle of the race they didn’t quicken away from me and I was getting into a nice rhythm. He finished out comfortably.

“He’s a lovely colt and he’s going to be a lovely horse next year going a trip.”

Fifth last time out in the Phoenix Stakes, the O’Brien-trained St Mark’s Basilica got off the mark at the third time of asking as he justified odds of 4-7 in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms Maiden, denying Loch Lein by a length and a quarter.

Winning rider Seamie Heffernan said: “He had a very good run in a Group One and was basically a steering job.

“I’d say there is a high chance that he’s going to get further than six furlongs. I liked him.”

Pretty Gorgeous gains revenge in Debutante Stakes

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Pretty Gorgeous impressed in the A.R.M. Holding Debutante Stakes at the Curragh, as she gained her revenge on Shale to pick up Group Two honours.

Having been successful first time out at Bellewstown, the Joseph O’Brien-trained winner was second to his brother Donnacha’s Shale when they met at Leopardstown – but she put the record straight in some style on this occasion.

Still travelling sweetly for Shane Crosse with two furlongs to run, it came down to a brief tussle between the pair before the 3-1 winner asserted from the furlong pole and went to score by two and a half lengths from the 7-4 favourite.

Mother Earth was the same distance back in third.

The Curragh race has a strong record of producing subsequent Group One winners – with Alpine Star being victorious 12 months ago – and the daughter of Lawman heads the early market for next year’s 1000 Guineas at 14-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power.

O’Brien said: “She’s a very good filly. We were a bit worried about the ground, but she obviously handled it. Being by Lawman, we thought that gave her a chance.

“We felt that she’d definitely get closer to Donnacha’s filly after her run in Leopardstown, because we thought the Curragh would be more suitable for us.

“We were looking for an easy spot for her debut first time at Bellewstown, and she qualified for that race – but as it turned out, it actually was quite a good race.”

Looking to future plans, O’Brien added: “The Moyglare looks the logical next step. She has proven she’s versatile ground-wise.

“I thought Shane gave her a lovely, cool ride today – it was a lovely, confident ride.

“She’s a big, strong lady. She cost a good few quid as a yearling, but she was an outstanding physical specimen at the sales.

“The sky is the limit for her.”

Fujaira Prince rules supreme in Ebor

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Fujaira Prince followed up his Royal Ascot success with victory in York’s Sky Bet Ebor Handicap.

Roger Varian’s grey was a rare winning favourite in one of the Flat calendar’s most notoriously difficult handicaps.

But just as in the Copper Horse Handicap at Ascot on his seasonal return two months ago, the 11-2 favourite proved he was ahead of the assessor – this time holding off a late rally from long-time leader Glencadam Glory, who admirably outran his starting price of 25-1.

Andrea Atzeni had the winner handily-placed early on but reined back as Glencadam Glory took the field along at a decent pace on rain-softened ground.

Fujaira Prince then hit the front in the final furlong as the field moved towards the stands side, and the six-year-old held on comfortably despite his dwindling advantage, winning by half a length.

There was another length back to Verdana Blue in third, with Monica Sheriff two and a quarter lengths behind in fourth.

Atzeni stressed that great credit must go to Varian for readying Fujaira Prince to win two such competitive handicaps on just the sixth and seventh starts of his career.

“It’s a brilliant training performance to keep him sound,” he said.

“He’s obviously had his issues, and is very lightly-raced. We hope he can stay sound, and we can have a lot of fun with him.

“That was always the plan after Ascot. He was very impressive that day, after having a year off.

“We came into this race very hopeful. (But) it was testing, obviously soft ground and hard work – (so) we didn’t go mad.

“But he travelled nicely, and galloped all the way to the line.”

Atzeni does not yet appear convinced, however, that Fujaira Prince should head for the Melbourne Cup in November – for which he was quoted at 16-1 by Coral – having won a race which is considered a stepping stone to that event.

“The Melbourne Cup, I know it’s two miles – but you need a horse with speed, and is probably a mile-and-a-half horse really,” he added.

“This fella is just an out-and-out galloper, he doesn’t do anything fast. Whether he’s got that early tactical speed for a Melbourne Cup, I don’t know.

“But it’s not for me to decide. I’m sure all three of us (owner, trainer and jockey) will make that decision.”

Fujaira Prince held off the game bid of Glencadam Glory
Fujaira Prince held off the game bid of Glencadam Glory (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Varian said from his Newmarket base: “He is a wonderful horse and I really am grateful to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid because he has been incredibly patient with a horse who has been very delicate to train. When he gives us days like this and the one at Royal Ascot, he is worth every bit of the patience.

“I’m also grateful to the team. This horse has needed nursing and wrapping up. Without the team’s hard work he wouldn’t have achieved what he has this year.

“The expression ‘made of glass’ would really apply to this guy. We space his races out and the biggest number of races he has ever had in a season is the three he had last year. We’ll try to match that this year, but I’m not sure if he is a Melbourne Cup horse.

“We obviously like the idea, and we’ll see what Sheikh Mohammed Obaid wants to do, but I think we could freshen him up and maybe look at the stayers’ race on Champions Day. Having said that, you can’t take anything for granted with this horse.”

Tim Easterby, meanwhile, was proud of the runner-up’s effort in defeat.

He said: “He’s run a hell of a race. We’ve been waiting for this all year and then we were a bit windy about whether we were going to get in or not.

“We were lucky to get in and he’s run great. We’ll look to come back for this again next year.”

Safe Voyage sails to City of York glory

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John Quinn will consider top-level targets at home and abroad for Safe Voyage following a thoroughly impressive display in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

The likeable seven-year-old won the Group Three John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock last summer and opened his account for the current campaign with victory in the Listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.

A respectable fourth behind the high-class Space Blues in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood on his latest appearance, Safe Voyage was soon bowling along in the lead in this Group Two assignment under Jason Hart.

Dual Prix de la Foret heroine One Master, the 13-8 favourite, went in pursuit after getting in the clear, but Safe Voyage (4-1) found plenty for pressure in front and passed the post with three and a half lengths in hand.

Hart said: “When Silvestre de Sousa’s horse (Shine So Bright) came out, I knew there might be a lack of pace so I thought it might be an idea (to making the running).

“He’s a very versatile horse. The only thing with him is he wouldn’t want firm ground, so I was happy this morning when I saw the rain.

“It’s my first Group Two winner. When it’s wet, soft ground like that, he thrives on it.”

Safe Voyage rounded off last season by finishing third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and an appearance on Champions Day could be on the agenda again.

Quinn said: “We didn’t see much pace in the race so we thought there was no point faffing about. The jockey gave him a very good ride.

“He’s ground versatile – he just doesn’t want it very quick.

“We’ll look at the QEII again and he’s in a race or two on Arc weekend. He could do both and there’s also a very valuable race at the Breeders’ Cup – a mile on turf round two turns (Breeders’ Cup Mile). You can normally get plenty of cut in the ground at Keeneland.

“That’s just a pipe dream, but it’s something to think about.”

The William Haggas-trained One Master was not disgraced in defeat and will be prepared for a Foret hat-trick bid.

Maureen Haggas, the trainer’s wife and assistant, said: “She ran a good race. She was probably just a bit too far back in a slowly-run race, but it’s one of those things.

“The plan is to go back for the Foret again. She never lets us down – she’s a star.”

Make A Challenge makes no mistake in Curragh Sprint

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Make A Challenge outclassed his rivals to win the A.R.M. Holding Curragh Sprint Stakes with ease.

Denis Hogan’s course specialist took his winning tally to five at the Curragh, sitting off the pace initially but challenging inside the last two furlongs and then storming clear under Joe Doyle.

The 9-4 winner never needed to come under serious pressure and had four lengths to spare at the line from 20-1 shot Downforce, with Schroders Mistake a neck further back in third at 66-1.

Make A Challenge, previously second to A’Ali in the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh, has more high-profile targets in his sights after this six-furlong Listed success.

Hogan said: “That was impressive. I wasn’t expecting that, to be honest. I was expecting Speak In Colours (6-5 favourite, sixth) to give us a right test and probably beat us.

“I thought we were always better over five, but that is his ground. There aren’t too many horses that would live with him on that ground, he just motors through it.

“This was only a stepping stone to the Flying Five here on Champions Weekend. He’s in Tipperary during the week in a Listed race.

“We don’t work him much at home. He’s been coming here, picking up prize-money and using races to step to another race.

“We just feel he’s better fresh like that and he’s had a little break, I’d say he’s really freshened up well.

“This time last year he came alive and hopefully he is coming good again.”

He added: “There is a good programme. There is the Flying Five, the Abbaye and Champions Day at Ascot. We’ll look at the three of them.

“It’s great for Joe as well, he’s having a good run of it. Hopefully it keeps raining and if the horses keep running like that I’ll be happy.

“I wouldn’t say Battaash is unbeatable, but he’s going to be very hard to beat. You’d be disappointed that A’Ali didn’t show more (in the Nunthorpe) as he beat us here, but that was on better ground.

“Obviously we are better on this type of ground.”

Onassis out to make another leap forward

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Onassis faces another step in her breakthrough season in the Group Three Betway Atalanta Stakes at Sandown.

The daughter of Dubawi is already a Listed winner, having struck at Chantilly on her latest run following success in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained filly was due to run at this level at Deauville last weekend, but connections scrapped that plan because of quarantine restrictions and decided to wait for Sunday’s target on home soil.

“It’s a hot race, but she couldn’t have been more impressive in France last time,” said Fellowes.

“I’m hoping the ground dries out as much as possible – with a strong wind and warm temperatures, there’s a good chance it will be pretty nice ground come Sunday.

“She needs to take another step forward, but the rate she’s improving this year that’s not out of the question.”

Quadrilateral is reported back in rude health after being sidelined following her third place in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Roger Charlton-trained filly had earlier finished third in the 1000 Guineas behind Love, and now seeks to open her account for the campaign.

“She’s run two very good races in fairness, to be third in both the 1000 Guineas and the Coronation,” said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah.

“It appeared afterwards that she had a sinus infection and an infected tooth, so we’ve let her recover from those and had them sorted out.

“She’s been in good form since – and even though she hasn’t won (this season), you could argue that she still sets the standard. The Guineas and the Coronation are the best races.”

Billesdon Brook, winner of the 1000 Guineas in 2018, is another bringing Classic form to the table – while her trainer Richard Hannon also runs Posted in a highly-competitive field.

The Mark Johnston stable is bidding for a third success in the Betway Solario Stakes, and is represented by two fillies in Dubai Fountain and Forever Grateful.

Dubai Fountain has finished second twice in Pattern company after winning her first two starts.

Johnston’s son and assistant Charlie said: “Dubai Fountain is well established at this level and has not done a lot wrong in her two narrow defeats in Listed and Group Three company.

“We hope this looks a decent opportunity for her to win a Stakes race.

“Obviously, there are some lightly-raced colts in there who could improve, but she sets a clear form standard and hopefully she will go very close.”

Forever Grateful a makes a quick reappearance after a promising debut at Doncaster last weekend, when she was beaten only a neck by Nazuna in a seven-furlong maiden.

“She ran a very nice debut at Doncaster last Saturday and I think she is hopefully up to this class,” said Johnston.

“Whether she will be up to it one week after her debut, I’m not sure, but it looked a like a race that was going to break up into a small field.

“If she gets placed it will be very valuable to her, so we’re taking our chance.”

Of the colts, Roger Varian’s Dark Lion has tackled Group company, finishing sixth to Battleground in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

Apollo One, trained by Peter Charalambous, and Richard Hannon’s Etonian have won their only starts. The other two runners, Richard Hughes’ Dinoo and Andrew Balding’s King Vega, were second on their only runs so far.

Coltrane hits right notes in Melrose victory

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Coltrane completed his hat-trick with a dominant display in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York.

Andrew Balding’s three-year-old did not make his debut until late June, but has made rapid progress in the space of a couple of months, with two sound efforts in defeat followed by back-to-back victories at Chepstow and Newmarket.

Facing a step up in class on the Knavesmire, Coltrane was sent off at 12-1 in the hands of champion jockey Oisin Murphy and moved smoothly into contention before pulling four lengths clear of Arthurian Fable.

“He had shown some nice work at home earlier in the year. He took a while to get his act together, but he won well at Chepstow and again on fast ground at Newmarket,” said Murphy.

“Being a typical Mastercraftsman, he relished a bit of dig in the ground today. On paper there were lots of horses who could improve, but this fella clearly stepped up.”

Asked whether the fast-improving colt could be a St Leger candidate, the rider added: “It didn’t even dawn on me. Let’s see what the owners think – Dashing Willoughby ran very well for them in a Leger. Whether that’s a step too far, I’m not sure.

“I think today was the target because it’s usually a valuable race and there’s plenty of history attached to it.

“I’m not sure what Andrew wants to do that. I think he would stay the Cesarewitch trip, but at his age it’s a long way to go (two and a quarter miles) and it also depends what the handicapper does.”

Acklam Express (100-30 favourite) also registered a third straight win as he came out top in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes under Tom Marquand.

Nigel Tinkler’s Hamilton and Goodwood scorer displayed courage as well as class in seeing off Queen Of Rio and Nomadic Empire by a nose and a head respectively.

Tinkler said: “I thought he was going to fade away with 100 yards to go and finish third or fourth, but he kept trying.

“The jockey said he hated the ground, but he’s very genuine and he’s puled it out of the bag – it’s brilliant to win a Listed race at York.

“There are some races in France he might just go for. I think he’s better on quicker ground.”

It was a shot in the arm for the Malton-based trainer following the disappointing performance of the classy Ubettabelieveit in Friday’s Gimcrack Stakes.

He added: “I wasn’t a happy man after that race, I promise you. He ran too keen and didn’t like the ground, but he didn’t have a hard race and he could possibly go for the Flying Childers at Doncaster.”

Ralph Beckett and Harry Bentley combined to land the Sky Bet Handicap with 10-1 chance Lucander, getting the better of Sky Defender by a length and three-quarters.

Ward eyes more Morny glory with Campanelle

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Campanelle will try to emulate Lady Aurelia by supplementing Queen Mary glory with victory in the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

Lady Aurelia did the double for trainer Wesley Ward in 2016, giving the American handler a second Morny win following No Nay Never three years earlier.

Campanelle will try to make it three for Ward on Sunday, with jockey Frankie Dettori circumventing Covid-19 quarantine restrictions by having stayed in France since riding a big-race double at Deauville last weekend – a decision that has delighted the trainer.

Frankie Dettori remained in France to ride at Deauville
Frankie Dettori remained in France to ride at Deauville (Edward Whitaker/PA)

Ward said: “She’s doing great. She’s been working real good – just cruising up and doing things nicely.

“I hope she’s got a good chance, hopefully the ground won’t be too soft.

“It’s great Frankie has stayed in France for the week so he can ride. He must fancy her chances, I guess, and it’s always good to have Frankie in your corner.”

Tactical represents The Queen in France
Tactical represents the Queen in France (Francesca Altoft/PA)

Tactical also struck gold at Royal Ascot in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes and has since triumphed in fine style in the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket.

Trained by Andrew Balding for the Queen, Tactical’s sights have been set on the Morny since his victory at Headquarters – and he will be partnered by Pierre-Charles Boudot in Normandy.

Her Majesty’s racing manager John Warren said: “Tactical left Kingsclere on Friday morning, with Andrew reporting that he couldn’t be happier with the horse.

“He has been aimed at this Group One since winning the July Stakes, and up to this point everything is going to plan.

“We are very hopeful he remains on target to give the Queen great pleasure with this cracking homebred.”

Nando Parrado was a shock winner at Royal Ascot
Nando Parrado was a shock winner at Royal Ascot (Megan Ridgwell/PA)

Nando Parrado was another to triumph at Royal Ascot, shocking his rivals as a 150-1 chance in the Coventry Stakes.

He has not raced since that victory in June, with trainer Clive Cox skipping a planned run at Chantilly last month when he was not completely satisfied with the Kodiac colt.

Nando Parrado is reportedly on top form now, though, with the possibility of easy ground not causing alarm.

Cox said: “I’m very pleased with him. Obviously his Coventry success was very pleasing, and we’ve had a nice healthy time in between.

“We had an entry in the Papin. He wasn’t quite right for that, and I’m pleased he’s in very good order and he’s heading over to France on Sunday.

“He won’t mind getting his toe in.”

Rhythm Master was a clear-cut winner on his debut at Haydock
Rhythm Master was a clear-cut winner on his debut at Haydock (Steve Davies/PA)

Rhythm Master will be taking a huge leap in class as he tackles Group One company on just his second start for trainer Richard Fahey and owner John Dance.

The Dark Angel colt won a Haydock novice last month and follows in the footsteps of Dance’s multiple Group One winner Laurens, who won first time out before pitching up in Group Three company in France.

The owner told Sky Sports Racing: “We’ve only ever really done this with Laurens – who went from novice to Group company also at Deauville – so to be doing this again and going two rungs higher, it feels very exciting but also incredibly scary at the same time.

Dance's superstar filly Laurens also followed a steep upward trajectory
Dance’s superstar filly Laurens also followed a steep upward trajectory (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We were looking at the races we were in and we just felt this was an opportunity. Richard obviously really likes the horse and felt that we should shoot for the stars.

“We were in both the Acomb and Gimcrack at York this week – we only entered the Prix Morny almost as a back-up in case the ground at York went really quick, but obviously it’s not quick anywhere at the moment.”

Megan Nicholls rode Rhythm Master at Haydock, but Cristian Demuro takes over in France.

Mick Channon’s Cairn Gorm – a Group Three winner at Deauville earlier this month – completes the British challenge.

Channon said: “He knows how to win, which is always a good thing. He’s always been a good horse, but it is a good race.

“He’s won at the track before, so we’ll see how we get on.”

Home hopes rest with Livachope, who is unbeaten in three for Jane Soubagne, Farfar, Acapulco Gold and Winvalchope.

On a card packed with Group-race action, the Darley Prix Jean Romanet is a second top-level contest – with Dettori on board Nazeef for John Gosden, as they bid to win the race for a second successive year after Coronet’s triumph 12 months ago.

Gosden’s son and assistant Thady has no qualms about Nazeef staying the trip, after she followed her sequence of six consecutive victories by finishing third in the Group One Qatar Nassau Stakes when stepped up to 10 furlongs for the first time.

Stamina did not appear to be a problem at Goodwood as she ran on late into a place.

Gosden said: “She’s in good form. She obviously ran very well (to win the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes) at Newmarket and then stepped up in trip at Goodwood, where she ran well (again).

“This looks the obvious race – 10 furlongs for older fillies. I’d say you can be fairly confident that she stays 10 furlongs.”

Nazeef is the likely favourite in a field of 12, including Joseph O’Brien’s Leopardstown Listed winner Bolleville.

Certain Lad takes Group Three honours in Strensall Stakes

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Certain Lad finished with a flourish to provide Hollie Doyle with another big-race victory in the Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes at York.

The record-breaking rider opened her Group-race account aboard Dame Malliot in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket in July and doubled her tally with Extra Elusive in last month’s Rose of Lancaster at Haydock.

Having chased home Extra Elusive on Merseyside a fortnight ago, the Mick Channon-trained Certain Lad was a 10-1 shot for his latest assignment and came home strongly in the last of the nine furlongs to claim the Group Three prize by half a length from Epic Hero.

Lord Glitters, winner of the race in 2018 and the 100-30 favourite to regain his crown, finished third.

Doyle said: “He gave me a great ride. We went a nice gallop today and the further I was going the better.

“He hit a bit of a flat spot, but once I got daylight he was tough. He’s a well-travelled horse, to say the least.

“Mr Channon has done a great job with this horse. He can be quite highly strung, but today the lid was fully on.”

Channon was not present, but said via telephone: “He deserved that as he’s been knocking on the door of late. I’m delighted to see him get his head in front again.

“He’s been on the go a while, having been to Dubai earlier in the year, but he’s so tough.

“Any track and any ground – it doesn’t make any difference to him.”

Joint-trainer Ed Crisford was delighted with the performance of the runner-up Epic Hero, who had been off the track since winning at Meydan in February.

Crisford said: “He ran a really nice race. He was treading water in the last furlong, but he settled well and picked up nicely.

“He was in front a long time. He’s a nice horse and hopefully he can progress from there.”

There was a sad postscript to the race, after it was confirmed the William Haggas-trained Miss O Connor had suffered a fatal injury.

The five-year-old mare had led under Tom Marquand, but faltered two out before being pulled up and quickly dismounted.

‘Golden summer’ continues for Crowley with fabulous York four-timer

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He may not regain his champion jockey crown this year – but it would be a push to argue that since the resumption of racing in June, Jim Crowley has not been the man to follow.

An opening-day treble at Royal Ascot – a meeting at which he rode six winners – has been followed up with big winner after big winner.

The likes of Mohaather, Nazeef, Hukum and of course Battaash have all taken some of the biggest races of the season to date – and the latter formed part of a brilliant 127-1 four-timer on day three of the Ebor meeting at York.

Crowley, a former National Hunt jockey, is approaching his 2,000th career winner and has surely never had it better.

Battaash was the star of the show for Jim Crowley
Battaash was the star of the show for Jim Crowley (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

The day started well on something of a forgotten horse in the mile-and-a-half handicap through John Gosden’s Alfaatik, who began last year in a Derby trial. Gelded over the winter, he looks a different proposition now and stayed on stoutly.

It was then time for the big guns. In the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup there was no Stradivarius – but Gosden still proved the man to follow with the mare Enbihaar.

Already a favourite of Crowley’s, the five-year-old has provided him with five wins now and the hope is she can sign off her career with a so-far elusive Group One win in Paris in October in the Prix de Royallieu.

Crowley said: “She is so tough and she stayed very well. Credit must go to Sheikh Hamdan (owner) because he’s kept her in training and it’s so great she’s been able to repay the faith we have all shown in her.”

From stayers over two miles, Crowley then dropped down to six furlongs to win the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes on Owen Burrows’ Minzaal.

Sent off the 5-2 favourite after an easy win at Salisbury, the Mehmas youngster looked impressive when coming home two lengths clear of a good field.

Minzaal looked a real star in the making at York
Minzaal looked a real star in the making at York (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

The Middle Park Stakes is next, with the Commonwealth Cup, rather than the Guineas, his aim next year.

“I think he’s all speed, I don’t think he needs to be going further than six furlongs, so we’ll be looking Middle Park rather than Dewhurst and it will be straight there,” said Burrows.

Then it was time for the really big one, the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs.

When Battaash won the race last year many said he had put his York hoodoo to bed having flopped there twice before.

Understandably, given he had looked imperious in winning at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, Battaash was sent off the 1-2 favourite – but while he won, he had to show qualities that might not have been attributed to him before.

Michael Dods’ flying filly Que Amoro made him pull out all the stops and in a howling gale Battaash, who in his younger days was such a tearaway, knuckled down for a scrap and came out on top by a length.

Charlie Hills described the performance as arguably a career-best, taking into account he had plenty of things against him, as he joined an elite list of dual Nunthorpe winners. Only two horses in history have won it more – Tag End and Sharpo.

Jim Crowley was most definitely the man to follow at York
Jim Crowley was most definitely the man to follow at York (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Crowley said: “He tried very hard. They went a serious gallop, but he was a real man and stuck his head out. In the past he has always won his races at halfway, so fair play to the second horse. He’s an amazing horse.

“We’re lucky to have him about and it’s fantastic for Sheikh Hamdan – he’s a big supporter of racing and has been for a long time and I’m glad I can repay him in some way. It’s been a golden summer.”

Reflecting on the day and the fact he is just two winners away from his 2,000th, he added: “I had some nice rides on paper, but it’s not easy, you’ve still got to win, so it’s been a really good day.

“It’s very special. It’s a top day and I’m very fortunate to be in this position – I get to ride some nice horses and it’s great when it comes off.

“It would be lovely to do (ride his 2,000th winner in the Ebor on Jeremiah). It’s a nice milestone to reach – I never thought I’d get that many when I first came into racing.”