Bet365 Bunbury Cup
Heritage Handicap,
Newmarket 15:50
£100,000 added, 3yo plus,
7f, Class 2   
Saturday 9th July 2022

Boylesports

1 Bless Him 25/1
2 Ropey Guest 11/1
3 Jumby 13/2
4 Montassib 4/1J
18 ran NR: Lord Rapscallion, Tommy De Vito
Distances: 1¼l, shd, nk Time: 1m 22.84s (fast by 0.56s)

Given a cool ride as standard by Jamie Spencer in the early stages among the stand-side group, the eight-year-old Bless Him was off the bridle somewhat sooner than normal, but was not for denying once striking the front inside the final furlong. 

He was sent off at 25-1 for the seventh career success on his 41st start and it was a deserved triumph following some promising recent efforts, none more so than when keeping on well for seventh in the Hunt Cup having suffered interference while travelling smoothly in the competitive Royal Ascot handicap. 

In a race featuring few hard-luck stories, Ropey Guest (second) finished best of those on to race on the far side, while Jumby (third) at one stage looked like making a winning return to seven furlongs. The 4-1 joint-favourite Montassib was second home of those on the near side to claim fourth. 

Spencer said: “He’s been around a long time but for David to keep him sound so long, he still moves like a young horse, is a good effort.

“He needs to relax and needs the gaps, but I always enjoy riding him. 

“He was always going to stay the trip well over seven and we were always going to have a strong pace to run at.

“They were all exposed horses so it was all about who got the luck on the day.

“He’s an old breeze-up horse, he still wears a hood and he’s eight years of age.

“I’m delighted for David and the yard, he’s been there seven years.”

Trainer David Simcock said: “He’s always been very consistent and it hasn’t always fallen right for him. He’s had some pretty hard tasks down the years as well so it’s lovely to win a race like this.

“He’s had a tough life, he nearly died twice but since we bought him he’s been nothing but fun. He ran well in the Hunt Cup so was entitled to run well.

“Jamie suits him but he doesn’t have to ride them all like that.”

SureWIn

Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 2
18 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3)     Bless Him 8 9-3 David Simcock Jamie Spencer 25/1
2 (17) 1¼ Ropey Guest 5 8-8 George Margarson Callum Hutchinson 11/1
3 (5) shd Jumby 4 9-7 Eve Johnson Houghton Christophe Soumillon 13/2
4 (6) nk Montassib 4 8-13 William Haggas Cieren Fallon 4/1J
5 (2) hd The Attorney 4 8-10 Charles Hills Jack Mitchell 18/1
6 (10) 1¼ Cruyff Turn 5 9-2 Tim Easterby Tom Eaves 40/1
7 (13) hd Accidental Agent 8 10-0 Eve Johnson Houghton Charles Bishop 28/1
8 (4) 1½ Al Rufaa 5 9-1 John & Thady Gosden Robert Havlin 25/1
9 (1) 1 Titan Rock 4 8-9 John Quinn Connor Beasley 25/1
10 (8) nk Master Zoffany 4 8-4 Richard Fahey William Pyle 50/1
11 (18) 2¾ Vafortino 4 9-4 Kevin Philippart De Foy Benoit De La Sayette 14/1
12 (19) 4¼ Silent Film 4 9-7 Charlie Appleby William Buick 22/1
13 (7) 1¾ Samburu 3 8-5 John & Thady Gosden Kieran O'Neill 4/1J
14 (20) 1½ Star Of Orion 4 9-0 Ralph Beckett Rob Hornby 9/1
15 (16) 2¾ Persuasion 5 8-7 David & Nicola Barron Ben Curtis 40/1
16 (9) ½ Il Bandito 4 8-5 James Horton Shane Gray 14/1
17 (14) 1½ I'm A Gambler 3 8-6 Charlie & Mark Johnston Chris Hayes 66/1
18 (12) 4 Rhoscolyn 4 9-5 David O'Meara James Doyle 10/1
NR (11) -12957 Tommy De Vito 5 8-4 Charles Hills NON RUNNER
NR 20 (15) Lord Rapscallion 6 8-2 Stuart Williams NON RUNNER

Mathematician Betting