York Racecourse

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Twice Over Returns to Form in Sky Bet York Stakes
23/07/11

1 Twice Over 5/2
2 Ransom Note 12/1
3 Dominant 2/1F
7 ran Distances: 1¼l, shd, ¾l
TIME 2m 9.99s (slow by 2.69s)

Twice Over showed his class when bouncing back to form with a Group Two success in the Sky Bet York Stakes on the Knavesmire.

Twice Over
© racing-images.co.uk

The triple Group One winner, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, put three disappointing runs behind him to justify the faith of his connections.

The 5-2 shot was brought from the rear of the field by Tom Queally to grab the race by the scruff of the neck and beat Ransom Note (12-1) by a length and a quarter, with the heavily-backed 2-1 favourite Dominant just behind in third.

The heavily-backed 2-1 favourite Dominant came in third
© Racehorse Photos

Queally said: "He's a very special horse to all of us. I'm delighted he's back to winning ways. He might have lost his way for a couple of races, but he's back where he belongs - in the winner's enclosure.

"It took him a few strides to get into top gear, but once he got there, there was no stopping him. He was the class horse in the race and he won like it."

Cecil's travelling head lad Michael McGowan said: "Henry has done a great job, he has brought him back fresh and that has obviously worked.

"Tom said he was never worried, and although he doesn't stay much further he gets the mile and a quarter really well.

"It's great to see him bounce back - every time we drop him a level he seems to come back to himself.

"I'm not sure what the plan is, maybe he will defend his Champion Stakes title."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Twice Over H R A Cecil	T P Queally 9st 5lbs	5 - 2 Winner
2	Ransom Note B W Hills	M Hills 9st 2lbs	12 - 1 1 1/4 length
3	Dominant R Varian	N Callan 8st 6lbs	2 - 1 Short Head
4	Class Is Class Sir Michael Stoute	P Hanagan 9st 2lbs	4 - 1 3/4 length
5	Saptapadi B Ellison	P Pickard 9st 2lbs	14 - 1 Neck
6	Eleanora Duse Sir Michael Stoute	S De Sousa 8st 13lbs	12 - 1 Neck
7	Tazeez J H M Gosden	T P O'Shea 9st 2lbs	9 - 1 3 lengths

PAST WINNERS OF THE GROUP TWO SKY BET YORK STAKES

Year Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer Jockey Ran SP

2006 BEST ALIBI 3-8-06 Gainsborough Stud Sir Michael Stoute Ryan Moore 5 2/1F

2007 STAGE GIFT 4-9-02 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor Jamie Spencer 8 8/1

2008 PIPEDREAMER 4-9-02 Cheveley Park Stud John Gosden Seb Sanders 7 2/1F

2009 KIRKLEES 5-9-02 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor Frankie Dettori 9 Evens F

2010 SUMMIT SURGE 6-9-02 W Bellew Luca Cumani Kieren Fallon 8 8/1