Sky Bet York Stakes |
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| Group 2, York 14.55 £100,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1  |
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| Saturday 25th July 2015 | |
1 Tullius 10/1
2 Top Notch Tonto 7/1
3 Prince Gibraltar 5/2F
8 ran Distances: ½l, ¾l, 5l
TIME 2m 6.25s (fast by 0.95s)
Tullius sweeps through late under Phillip Makin to breeze past Top Notch Tonto
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Brian Ellison's popular performer Top Notch Tonto looked like lifting the Group Two spoils until Makin delivered Tullius with an undeniable run to come out on top.
Andrew Balding's smart seven-year-old, who had finished last of five behind Golden Horn in the Coral-Eclipse on his previous start, got his head in front where it mattered as he prevailed by half a length.
Top Notch Tonto was three-quarters of a length clear of French raider Prince Gibraltar, the 5-2 favourite.
Makin said: "They seem to go a nice gallop. He was off the bit early and came good turning in.
"I wasn't really thinking about the trip, he has run over it before.
"It was the ground, but he seemed to open up on it and he was fine."
Sam Hoskins, representing the winning owners Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, said: "It was a very late decision to run but William (Derby, clerk of the course) assured me there was no jar in the ground.
"He's a seven-year-old gelding so we don't have to worry about a stud career but we'd like him to carry on racing next year.
"He was second to Olympic Glory in the Lockinge last year and was beaten 10 lengths by Golden Horn in the Eclipse, giving him 11lb - though I'm aware you shouldn't read that much into that.
"His big aim is the Champion Stakes. I know he won't win but there's so much money on offer.
"Before that he'll probably go for the Joel Stakes at Newmarket as it is a penalty-free race.
"One thing we can say is that he definitely stays."
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Brian Ellison said of Top Notch Tonto: "We can say he stays now, so I might start looking for more 10-furlong races.
"Then again, we'll probably go back to Ireland for the race he ran in last year (Boomerang Mile at Leopardstown)."
Skybet York Stakes (Group 2)
£100,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Firm
| Pos | Dr | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | (6) | Tullius (IRE) 10/1 | P Makin 9-3 |
A M Balding | 7 | |
| 2nd | (8) | ½ | Top Notch Tonto (IRE) 7/1 | S De Sousa 9-3 |
B Ellison | 5 |
| 3rd | (2) | ¾ | Prince Gibraltar (FR) 5/2f | J B Eyquem 9-3 |
J C Rouget | 4 |
| 4th | (3) | 5 | Custom Cut (IRE) 7/2 | D Tudhope 9-6 |
D O'Meara | 6 |
| 5th | (7) | 3¼ | Kelinni (IRE) 12/1 | N Callan 9-3 |
K A Ryan | 7 |
| 6th | (4) | 14 | Castlelyons (IRE) 12/1 | P McDonald 8-7 |
Robert Stephens | 3 |
| 7th | (5) | ¾ | Tha'ir (IRE) 9/2 | James Doyle 9-3 |
S bin Suroor | 5 |
| 8th | (1) | 6 | Bragging (USA) 15/2 | T E Durcan | Sir Michael Stoute | 4 |
