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Emirates Airline Champion Stakes 2010 |
Twice Over Champion Double
16/10/10
1 Twice Over 7/2
2 Vision D'Etat 3/1F
3 Debussy 10/1
There was fitting finale to the staging of the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket as local hero Henry Cecil saddled Twice Over to consecutive wins in the Group One feature ahead of its move to Ascot in 2011.
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Just 35 minutes after Frankel confirmed himself the leading British juvenile in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, Cecil and jockey Tom Queally were back in the winner’s enclosure as the Khalid Abdullah-owned Twice Over repeat his success of 12 months earlier.
The win underlines Cecil’s return to the top of the training ranks after several barren years - and he paid tribute to the winning owner for his part in the revival.
Cecil said: “A few years ago I was at Catterick on this day and I will go on for as long as the Prince is with me.
“I have to thank the Prince and if it was not for him then I would not be here now.
“Mentally I feel very good but I just wish my health was better.
“Twice Over is a lovely horse and I am very pleased with that result. It is great when it all goes right and things do not always fall like this.
“He did it very well and was in good form coming into the race.
“He will have a rest now and we will then take him back to the Dubai World Cup, when hopefully he will have a better draw than last year. He won’t go to the Breeders’ Cup as the Prince does not want to run him on dirt in America.
“He is my favourite horse and will stay in training next year. I wish I had a few more like him as he is a lovely person.”
Jockey Tom Queally will never forget the final Champions’ Day at Newmarket after riding a 6.5/1 Group 1 double on Frankel and Twice Over. Both horses are trained by Henry Cecil for Prince Khalid Abdullah.
Following Frankel’s victory in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes the trainer, jockey and owner followed up with Twice Over in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes. Twice Over was completing back-to-back victories in the famous race, which next year will be held at Ascot.
Queally said: “It’s fantastic - it’s what it’s all about. It’s a day I’ll always remember, and I’m sure a lot of other people will too.
“Twice Over was marvellous today. They hacked along early and I didn’t want to be as handy as I was, but given the pace of the race I took closer order. He finished off his race well and felt as good as he has ever been.
“What more can I say? I’ll struggle to top this. My job’s easy, it’s Henry who gets them there in tip-top shape. All I have to do is steer them.
“It’s a great privilege for me to ride horses like this.”
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Position |
Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
Starting Price Beaten Distance |
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1 |
Twice Over H R A Cecil |
T P Queally 9st 3lbs |
7 - 2 Winner |
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2 |
Vision D'Etat E Libaud |
O Peslier 9st 3lbs |
3 - 1 1 3/4 length |
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3 |
Debussy J H M Gosden |
William Buick 9st 3lbs |
10 - 1 3/4 length |
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4 |
Gitano Hernando M Botti |
K Fallon 9st 3lbs |
15 - 2 3/4 length |
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5 |
Wigmore Hall M L W Bell |
J P Spencer 8st 12lbs |
16 - 1 3/4 length |
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6 |
Glass Harmonium Sir Michael Stoute |
R L Moore 9st 3lbs |
14 - 1 1 length |
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7 |
Fuisse Mme C Head-Maarek |
S Pasquier 9st 3lbs |
6 - 1 3/4 length |
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8 |
Sri Putra M A Jarvis |
P Robinson 9st 3lbs |
25 - 1 2 1/4 lengths |
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9 |
Poet's Voice S bin Suroor |
L Dettori 8st 12lbs |
6 - 1 3 lengths |
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10 |
Alwaary J H M Gosden |
R Hills 9st 3lbs |
33 - 1 19 lengths |
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NonRunner |
Await The Dawn A P O'Brien |
J P Murtagh 8st 12lbs |
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VISION FAILED TO ACT ON THE GROUND
“He had a good run throughout the race,” said Eric Libaud, trainer of the second Vision D’Etat, who is to be retired to stud for 2011.
“He was just behind the winner, but when he quickened Vision D’Etat, could not. He cannot act so well on the sticky ground.”
John Gosden, trainer of the third Debussy, was philosophical about his horse’s performance - while focusing on the future.
“He ran a good race but was plainly beaten by two better horses on both ratings and performance,” said Gosden. “We said after his last race that we would freshen up him for this with a view to going next to Churchill Downs. That is still the plan - just ask someone to make it rain out there!”
Gitano Hernando’s trainer Marco Botti was not completely happy with the run his horse got through the race.
“The lack of pace did not help us,” reported Botti of the fourth home. “We were then sat in a good position, but William Buick on Debussy came across us and stopped us in our run. We could not quicken again then off that slow pace.
“He has handled the turf well. Mr Barber, the horse’s owner, will decide but we are likely to be heading for the Breeders’ Cup, possibly for the Classic.”
