Longines Sagaro Stakes
Group 3, Ascot 15:10 £60,000 added, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 209y, Class 1
Wednesday 2nd May 2018

1 Torcedor 9/4F
2 Time To Study 11/4
3 Desert Skyline 7/1
6 ran Distances: 5l, 3l, 9l
Time: 3m 36.51s (slow by 13.51s)

Torcedor makes all under Colm O'Donoghue to win easily

Torcedor
© Caroline Norris

Fifth in the Gold Cup and second on Champions Day, Jessica Harrington’s Torcedor obviously likes the terrain in Berkshire, certainly much more than in Dubai where he was last seen trailing home well beaten.

Colm O’Donoghue was very positive on the six-year-old, setting a steady pace before kicking on a long way from home.

Whatever was ailing him in the desert, he was clearly in better heart on this occasion and never looked in any danger.

Mark Johnston’s Time To Study gave chase in vain, while nothing else could get anywhere near as Torcedor ran out a five-length winner.

The next port of call for Torcedor will be a return to Ascot for the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting for leg two in the series with the Qatar Goodwood Cup and the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York in August the final pieces of the jigsaw.

“It’s going to be very hard for any horse to do but we’re in there at the start and we’ve got to win the Ascot Gold Cup now,” said Harrington.

“I’m absolutely delighted. The proper Torcedor turned up (at Ascot)

“He jumped out and made all and Colm (O’Donoghue) said every time he asked him he quickened for him.

“We’ll head straight for the Ascot Gold Cup now.”

Longines Sagaro Stakes
£60,000 added, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 209y Class 1
6 ran
Going: Soft