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Betfred Ebor Heritage Handicap 2012 |
Frankie Rides Willing Foe to Land First Ebor
25/08/12
1 Willing Foe (USA) 12/1
2 Royal Diamond (IRE) 16/1
3 Number Theory 16/1
4 Motivado 7/2 f
NR: Harlestone Times (IRE), Sense Of Purpose (IRE)
19 ran Distances: nk, 1½l, nk
TIME 3m 0.75s (slow by 3.25s)
Frankie Dettori rode his first winner of the Betfred Ebor as Willing Foe came out on top in a pulsating finish to Europe's most valuable handicap at York.
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Having finished third on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot last month, the Godolphin runner was a 12-1 chance for this prestigious one-mile-six-furlong test and Dettori made sure his mount was never too far off the pace in mid-division.
He came to throw down his challenge in the home straight and though Irish raider Royal Diamond looked a serious threat as they flashed by the furlong marker, Willing Foe gave Dettori everything to pass the post a neck in front.
Royal Diamond ran a stormer to finish second, with Number Theory and staying-on favourite Motivado rounding off the places.
Dettori said: "It's taken 25 years, but my day has come. I was a bit worried about the draw, but they went slow and it worked out. I thought I had a chance, but it's the Ebor and I have never won it before.
"This is one of the most important handicaps of the season and now I've conquered it. I didn't have many boxes to tick, but this was one of them. I know it's only a handicap, but it's a very prestigious race and it's always a great crowd here.
"It's a funny old game, 24 hours ago I was sat in a car with the doctor (after a fall)."
Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor added: "We decided to come here after his last run at Ascot, when he was third. We thought a mile and six (furlongs) would suit him well. His last piece of work was really good and it gave us confidence.
"The options are open for him. We'll have a look at everything, but he is a possible for the Melbourne Cup. We've got a few in it, but I think the trip would be perfect for him."
Betfred Ebor (Heritage Handicap)
£225,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 6f, Class 2
19 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
| Position |
Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
Starting Price Beaten Distance |
| 1 |
Willing Foe S bin Suroor |
L Dettori 9st 2lbs |
12 - 1 Winner |
| 2 |
Royal Diamond T Carmody |
N G McCullagh 9st 0lbs |
16 - 1 Neck |
| 3 |
Number Theory J R Holt |
R Kennemore 8st 12lbs |
16 - 1 1 1/2 length |
| 4 |
Motivado Sir Mark Prescott |
L Morris 8st 12lbs |
7 - 2 Neck |
| 5 |
Area Fifty One R A Fahey |
D Nolan 9st 1lbs |
25 - 1 1 length |
| 6 |
Steps To Freedom Mrs J Harrington |
D E Egan 9st 10lbs |
25 - 1 1/2 length |
| 7 |
Camborne J H M Gosden |
William Buick 9st 7lbs |
11 - 2 1 length |
| 8 |
Tominator R Hollinshead |
G Gibbons 8st 12lbs |
20 - 1 1/2 length |
| 9 |
Dreamspeed A M Balding |
J Fortune 9st 0lbs |
25 - 1 1 1/4 length |
| 10 |
Hurricane Higgins M Johnston |
J Fanning 9st 0lbs |
33 - 1 1 1/2 length |
| 11 |
Qahriman L M Cumani |
K Fallon 8st 11lbs |
5 - 1 Neck |
| 12 |
Bob Le Beau Mrs J Harrington |
E J McNamara 9st 5lbs |
66 - 1 Neck |
| 13 |
Blue Bajan D O'Meara |
D Tudhope 8st 13lbs |
20 - 1 Neck |
| 14 |
Hammerfest J E Hammond |
Jim Crowley 9st 0lbs |
10 - 1 Neck |
| 15 |
Alkimos S bin Suroor |
S De Sousa 9st 1lbs |
16 - 1 2 1/4 lengths |
| 16 |
Icon Dream J S Goldie |
G Lee 9st 1lbs |
16 - 1 1 length |
| 17 |
Crackentorp T D Easterby |
D Allan 9st 2lbs |
25 - 1 3 1/4 lengths |
| 18 |
Harrison's Cave A P O'Brien |
C O'Donoghue 8st 11lbs |
16 - 1 3 3/4 lengths |
| 19 |
Rock A Doodle Doo W Jarvis |
J P Spencer 8st 12lbs |
50 - 1 2 1/2 lengths |
| NonRunner |
Sense Of Purpose D K Weld |
L F Roche 9st 4lbs |
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| NonRunner |
Harlestone Times J Dunlop |
Non Runner 9st 0lbs |
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