2011 result

racing_news/

Thought Worthy a Great Voltigeur Winner
22/08/12

1 Thought Worthy 9/1
2 Main Sequence 13/8F
3 Encke 7/1
6 ran Distances: nk, 2l, ½l
TIME 2m 35.96s (slow by 6.36s)

Thought Worthy benefited from a brilliant ride by William Buick to lead from pillar to post in the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

Thought Worthy
© Racehorse Photos

The 9-1 chance set only a modest gallop in the early stages of the mile-and-a-half contest, but he quickened the pace before the home turn and caught one or two of his rivals a little flat-footed.

His advantage was eroded as they headed inside the last couple of furlongs, with 13-8 favourite Main Sequence the biggest threat. But the John Gosden-trained Thought Worthy gave Buick everything he had as the line approached and held on to claim the Group Two prize by a neck.

Buick said: "He galloped well and stayed very well. He battled on well and stuck his head out. You have to admire a horse like this because he always tries his best."

Gosden said: "The great thing about having an outside draw in a small field is that you can watch everyone. William gave him a very smart ride and nicked three lengths travelling into the home straight.

"His brother (Lucarno) won this and went to the Leger and won. There is no reason why he shouldn't run either. We always thought he could be a Leger horse."

Gosden is intent on putting up a strong challenge to Triple Crown-seeking Camelot at Doncaster on September 15.

"They are all there to run (in the Leger) if they are in good order. Shantaram was due to come here but he had mucus in his lungs and Great Heavens has improved all year. They (the owners) have been talking about the Prix Vermeille (for Great Heavens), but we'll see," said the Clarehaven handler.

Trainer David Lanigan said of Main Sequence: "It turned into a bit of a sprint and it's just one of those things. He's done nothing wrong, but we'll see how he is and how he comes out of this before we make any plans. Take nothing away from the winner, William Buick rode a great race."

Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
£140,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 4f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm (Good in places)