Longines Sagaro Stakes

Group 3, Ascot 15:15
£80,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
1m 7f 209y, Class 1    
Wednesday 3rd May 2023

QuinnBet

1 Coltrane 11/4
2 Wise Eagle 18/1
3 El Habeeb 5/1
6 ran Distances: 4¾l, hd
Time: 3m 37.52s (slow by 11.62s)

Trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Oisin Murphy, Coltrane had a great time of things in staying races through 2022, winning three times including the Doncaster Cup when narrowly beating Trueshan.

He ended last year with a head second to the same rival on Champions Day in the autumn, but reversed that form in no uncertain terms with Alan King's charge, who could manage only a well-held fourth having been below his best on his Nottingham reappearance as well.

Coltrane took it up with a couple of furlongs to travel and really stretched clear to score by four and three-quarter lengths from gallant runner-up Wise Eagle, who acquitted himself well up in grade for trainer Adam Nicol. El Habeeb made up late ground from the rear and finished a further head back in third.

Murphy said on Sky Sports Racing: "Coltrane took off when we got racing and gave me a really good feel there.

"He had an injury two seasons ago but he's come back in the form of his life. They've done a great job with him at home.

"When Hollie took off I was able to travel along really easily on Trueshan's heels and the kick in the straight was great. I really think he could be a top stayer this year."

FormRatings

Longines Sagaro Stakes
£80,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 209y Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 (5)    Coltrane 6 9-9 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 11/4
2 (6) 4¾ Wise Eagle 6 9-4 Adam Nicol Daniel Tudhope 18/1
3 (1) hd El Habeeb 4 9-3 Kevin Philippart De Foy Andrea Atzeni 5/1
4 (3) 2 Trueshan 7 9-9 Alan King Hollie Doyle EvsF
5 (2) 5½ Nate The Great 7 9-4 Andrew Balding William Buick 50/1
6 (4) 5½ Rajinsky 7 9-4 Hugo Palmer Harry Davies 12/1

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