THIRSK trainer Allan Dickman was elated after securing the biggest win of his career at York with Ishetoo.
The front-running Peak District appeared to have all of his rivals in trouble coming inside the final furlong of the sportingbet.com Sprint, but Jamie Kyne burst out of the pack on the 12-1 chance to score by a neck.
Dickman said: ‘‘This horse loves five furlongs and loves fast ground. It all came right for him today.
‘‘I’ve only got 15 horses so a winner like this – mine and Jamie’s first at York – is just marvellous. I’m a bit shellshocked.’’ Amy Ryan was given a oneday ban (June 13) for causing interference on Peak District.
Nicky Henderson’s veteran Caracciola (7-1) became the oldest winner of a Listed Flat race in Britain when coming out on top in a thrilling finish to the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup.
The 12-year-old was sent straight to the head of affairs by Dale Gibson and kept finding more in the home straight to get the better of an exciting duel with favourite Friston Forest, winning by a shorthead.
Winning owner Piers Pottinger said: ‘‘The old boy never seems to let us down and just when you think he might have had enough, he comes back and surprises everyone.’’ Ted Durcan was suspended for four days (June 13-15 and 21) for excessive use of the whip on the runner-up.
However, Durcan gained some compensation when Sweet Sonnet finished with a real rattle on her debut to land the Yorkshire Regiment EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
Slowly away and a detached last at halfway, the 11-4 chance flew up the rail to deny Falling Angel by a neck for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
Durcan said: ‘‘I think she just got a bit of stage fright. If she’d got away on terms she’d have been a nice winner.’’ Last year’s Ayr Gold Cup winner Regal Parade encountered much faster conditions in the sportingbet.com Stakes, but still came out best in the seven-furlong heat, beating Mia’s Boy by a neck.
Trainer David Nicholls’ wife Alex Greaves said of the 13-2 winner: ‘‘There’s no particular plan with him. We might go back to Royal Ascot but we’ll take it as it comes.’’ There was a sting in the tale for winning jockey Adrian Nicholls though, as he received a one-day ban (June 13) for incorrect use of the whip.
Nosferatu may have earned a crack at the Northumberland Plate after running out a commanding winner of the Future Select Claiming Stakes.
Howard Johnson’s six-yearold had to be rousted along by Neil Brown coming out of the gate, but sporting blinkers for the first time, the 10-1 chance stayed on strongly to beat Benedict Spirit by three and three-quarter lengths.
Owner Graham Wylie said: ‘‘He has an entry in the Northumberland Plate and we’ll see if he gets in after this.’’ Mark Coumbe was handed a three-day suspension (June 13-15 inclusive) for excessive use of the whip on Edas, while Brown copped a two-day ban (June 13-14) for his winning ride.
Richard Fahey’s Kyllachy Star (12-1) got up in the shadow of the post to deny Quanah Parker by a nose in the sportingbet.
com Stakes under Tony Hamilton.
Quanah Parker’s jockey John Egan was suspended for two days (June 13 and 14) for excessive use of the whip.
Simon Walker extended his lead in the Bollinger Champagne Series when the amateur jockey guided Grand Art (11-4 favourite) to victory in the closing handicap.
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