York Racecourse

racing_news/

Surprise Ebor Success for Moyenne Corniche
20/08/11

1 Moyenne Corniche 25/1
2 Tactician 9/1
3 Investissement 25/1
4 Modun 7/1
20 ran Distances: 1l, ½l, 1¼l
TIME 3m 1.60s (slow by 4.10s)

Yorkshire trainer Brian Ellison sprung a 25-1 surprise in the Betfred Ebor at York as he landed the valuable prize with second string Moyenne Corniche.

Saptapadi was expected to throw down a big challenge for the handler and though he ran well and held every chance, he could not get into the frame as the Dale Swift-ridden Moyenne Corniche flashed home to grab the glory by a length.

Tactician led for a long way in the Queen's colours and rallied gamely to take second, with Investissement looking the likely winner at one stage but having to settle for third, a further half a length away. Modun was fourth.

Claimer Swift, from nearby Rotherham, said: "He did it well and travelled so nicely. I didn't want to get there too soon and he stuck his neck out really well.

"We didn't go a great gallop, but he wasn't too keen and we got the gaps when we needed them. You just have to take your time with him and he needs that little bit of dig in the ground.

"It's great for me being a Yorkshire lad, there's nothing better for me than to win this race. I always liked good handicaps as a young lad. It was at the back of my mind to try to win a race like this one day and now I've done it.

"To ride in a race like this is really important and to win it is something special. It's amazing and it might take a week to sink in."

Ellison added: "The plan was to hit the front late. I knew he would love the ground and I said to Dale he wouldn't be out of the first four. I think the other horse (Saptapadi) might have won if we had dropped him out, he was too keen. They had been working together and I really fancied both of them."

Trainer Michael Bell said of Tactician: "He ran a very good race. We had Joseph (O'Brien) claiming 3lb and he nearly pulled it off. It was a very good run, especially for a four-year-old against that lot."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Moyenne Corniche B Ellison	D Swift 8st 13lbs	25 - 1 Winner
2	Tactician M L W Bell	J P O'Brien 9st 3lbs	9 - 1 1 length
3	Investissement J H M Gosden	N Mackay 8st 13lbs	25 - 1 1/2 length
4	Modun Sir Michael Stoute	R Hughes 9st 1lbs	7 - 1 1 1/4 length
5	Saptapadi B Ellison	K Fallon 9st 5lbs	15 - 2 1/2 length
6	Fox Hunt M Johnston	S De Sousa 9st 10lbs	12 - 1 Neck
7	Lost In The Moment S bin Suroor	L Dettori 9st 5lbs	6 - 1 3/4 length
8	Mount Athos D Wachman	W M Lordan 9st 3lbs	10 - 1 1/2 length
9	Blissful Moment Sir Michael Stoute	T P Queally 8st 12lbs	10 - 1 Neck
10	Cill Rialaig H Morrison	S Drowne 8st 13lbs	18 - 1 1 1/4 length
11	Harlestone Times J Dunlop	T E Durcan 9st 1lbs	20 - 1 Nose
12	Nehaam J H M Gosden	R Hills 9st 3lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
13	Vulcanite R M Beckett	Jim Crowley 9st 3lbs	25 - 1 Neck
14	Nanton J S Goldie	G Whillans 9st 4lbs	40 - 1 1/2 length
15	Sirvino T D Barron	G Gibbons 8st 12lbs	33 - 1 1 1/2 length
16	Hillview Boy J S Goldie	D Tudhope 8st 12lbs	50 - 1 5 lengths
17	Ted Spread M H Tompkins	P Hanagan 9st 8lbs	16 - 1 Short Head
18	Salute Him A J Martin	G Baker 9st 0lbs	33 - 1 1/2 length
19	Montaff M R Channon	E Ahern 9st 6lbs	33 - 1 21 lengths
20	Halicarnassus M R Channon	T P O'Shea 9st 3lbs	40 - 1 36 lengths