John Smith's Cup |
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| Heritage Handicap, York 15:10 £200,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 2  |
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1 Enfjaar 15/2
2 Botanical 9/2F
3 Tony Montana 28/1
4 Kingfisher King 12/1
20 ran NR: Flying Frontier, Marhaba The Champ, Scampi
Distances: 1¾l, ½l, nk Time: 2m 9.66s (slow by 1.46s)
A dominant display from Enfjaar who takes victory in the John Smith's Cup Handicap, for @Mitchelljack77 and @varianstable 👏 pic.twitter.com/kki8w1HlHo
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 13, 2024
Enfjaar continued his ascent in the racing world by securing a one-two finish for trainer Roger Varian.
The four-year-old had shown promise with victories in his first two career starts at Newmarket and Chelmsford. However, a disappointing performance in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer, followed by two more subpar efforts, marred the end of his 2023 season.
After being gelded during the off-season, Enfjaar began to rebuild his reputation with a comfortable win on his return at Chelmsford last month.
Entering the John Smith’s Cup as a 15-2 shot under a 5lb penalty, he was poised for a strong performance in one of the season’s highlight handicaps on the Knavesmire.
Ridden by Jack Mitchell, Enfjaar travelled smoothly behind the leaders as they rounded the home turn. He was then switched to the stands’ side rail early in the straight. The outcome was never in doubt once he moved inside the final two furlongs. With the rail to guide him, he responded well to pressure, winning by a length and three-quarters.
His stablemate and 9-2 favourite, Botanical, secured second place, narrowly beating Tony Montana.
“There was a few battle-hardened horses in there but he really relaxed,” said Mitchell.
“He used to be quite a keen horse but the gelding has been the making of him, I’m just so pleased for the horse, Roger and Sheikha Hissa (owner).
“I think he’s better than a handicapper, his work was very pleasing coming into today and he should progress – the time off he’s had and the gelding has been the making of this horse.”
Richard Hills, representing owners Shadwell, added: “He’s a changed horse this year, we gave him a long rest last year, as he had a bit of bone bruising and a few other things.
“He came back to the yard where we rehabilitate our horses and he went and won really nicely at Chelmsford.
“Jack rode him there and rode him in his work last week and he looked really good, this is a tough race to win.
“We won it two years ago with Anmaat and he went and won a Group One – I’m not saying this fella will, I hope he will, but this is a very competitive race and I’m really chuffed.”
“He’s improving, he’s got things together and he’s in good form.
“We’ll reassess and see where they put him, now we’ll probably be out of the handicap and into Group races and there’s lots of lovely races over a mile and a quarter – in England and in Europe and further abroad.
“It’s exciting, he’s really getting there now.”
John Smith's Cup (Heritage Handicap)
£200,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 56y, Class 2
20 ran
Going: Good to Soft
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (1) Enfjaar 4 9-1 5ex Roger Varian Jack Mitchell 15/2
2 (6) 1¾ Botanical 4 9-9 Roger Varian P J McDonald 9/2F
3 (10) ½ Tony Montana 4 8-9 Michael Bell Hector Crouch 28/1
4 (8) nk Kingfisher King 4 8-12 William Haggas Oisin Orr 12/1
5 (22) ¾ Epic Poet 5 8-13 David O'Meara Daniel Tudhope 15/2
6 (5) nk Euchen Glen 11 8-9 5ex Jim Goldie Cam Hardie 40/1
7 (2) nk Remaadd 3 8-9 William Haggas Harry Davies 8/1
8 (21) ½ Take Heart 4 8-12 J P Murtagh Ben Coen 16/1
9 (18) 1 Dual Identity 6 8-13 William Knight Brandon Wilkie 22/1
10 (19) 1¾ Kihavah 7 8-13 Adrian Paul Keatley Paul Mulrennan 40/1
11 (23) ¾ Liberty Lane 4 9-8 K R Burke Sam James 14/1
12 (14) hd Astro King 7 9-13 Daniel & Claire Kubler Richard Kingscote 16/1
13 (16) nk Loyal Touch 4 8-9 5ex Charlie Johnston Joe Fanning 40/1
14 (11) ¾ Crack Shot 4 8-8 Ed Walker Saffie Osborne 9/1
15 (13) 1¾ Machete 5 8-9 David O'Meara Saffie Osborne 50/1
16 (7) hd Paradias 5 8-11 Alan King George Wood 18/1
17 (24) 1½ Haunted Dream 5 9-6 H Al Jehani Daniel Muscutt 7/1
18 (20) 2¼ Box To Box 5 8-12 Hugo Palmer Connor Planas 28/1
19 (3) 6 Penzance 4 9-2 Michael Appleby Alistair Rawlinson 18/1
20 (15) 6½ Killybegs Warrior 4 9-4 Charlie Johnston Billy Garritty 66/1
NR 12 (9) Marhaba The Champ 5 8-12 Kevin Ryan NON RUNNER
NR 16 (4) Flying Frontier 4 8-11 James Tate NON RUNNER
NR 17 (17) Scampi 6 8-11 Andrew Balding NON RUNNER
Recent John Smith’s Cup Winners.......
2023 – Pride Of America (18/1) Amy Murphy
2022 – Anmaat (5/1 jfav) Owen Burrows
2021 – Johnny Drama (22/1) Andrew Balding
2020 – Sinjaari (11/1) William Haggas
2019 – Pivoine (14/1) Andrew Balding
2018 – Euchen Glen (20/1) Jim Goldie
2017 – Ballet Concerto (8/1) Sir Michael Stoute
2016 – Educate (18/1) Ismail Mohammed
2015 – Master Carpenter (14/1) Rod Millman
2014 – Farraaj (6/1) Roger Varian
2013 – Danchai (10/1) William Haggas
2012 – King’s Warrior (10/1) Peter Chapple-Hyam
2011 – Green Destiny (6/1) W Haggas
2010 – Wigmore Hall (5/1) M Bell
2009 – Sirvino (16/1) T Barron
2008 – Flying Clarets (12/1) R Fahey
2007 – Charlie Tokyo (11/1) R Fahey
2006 – Fairmile (6/1 jfav) W Swinburn
2005 – Mullins Bay (4/1 fav) AP O’Brien
2004 – Arcalis (20/1) J Howard Johnson
2003 - Far Lane (7/1) B Hills
2002 – Vintage Premium (20/1) R Fahey
