Sky Bet Ebor
Heritage Handicap, York 15:35
£500,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
1m 5f 188y, Class 2   
Saturday 24th August 2024

Boylesports

1 Magical Zoe 11/2F
2 Kihavah 25/1
3 Oneforthegutter 25/1
4 Epic Poet 10/1
20 ran NR: Alfred Boucher, Not So Sleepy
Distances: 2¾l, nk, 1l Time: 2m 58.21s (slow by 1.61s)

Henry de Bromhead’s Magical Zoe had previously performed well at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, finishing second in the 2023 Mares Novices’ Hurdle and fourth in the County Hurdle behind last year’s Ebor winner, Absurde.

After transitioning to the Flat, Magical Zoe secured a maiden win at Down Royal, flanked by two commendable efforts in stakes races. She entered the £500,000 feature on the final day of the Ebor Festival as the 11-2 favourite and delivered a comprehensive win.

Positioned in midfield for much of the one-mile-six-furlong race, the six-year-old, guided by Billy Lee, made her move down the centre of the track in the straight. She took the lead inside the final two furlongs and maintained her advantage to win comfortably by two and three-quarter lengths. This victory marked Ireland’s third win in this prestigious Flat handicap in four years, following successes by Johnny Murtagh’s Sonnyboyliston in 2021 and Willie Mullins’ Absurde last year.

De Bromhead expressed his delight, saying, “It’s great, I’m delighted for the lads (owners Patrick and Scott Bryceland). They came up with the idea of coming here, and it’s worked out brilliantly. Billy was brilliant on her.”

Reflecting on the win, he added, “It’s amazing. It’s a race you grow up watching, and I never dreamt I could win it. Here we are, and it’s incredible. The lads were always keen to go on the Flat, and Alex Elliott, who bought her for them, has been keen ever since. We planned to go last year, but it didn’t fit as she had a tough season. This year, everything fell into place. With good horses, everything is just a fraction easier. Training winners is what we want, but coming to a big meeting like this is the stuff of dreams.”

Regarding a potential Melbourne Cup entry, De Bromhead said, “We have a win-and-you’re-in entry for Melbourne, so now we have to start talking about that!”

Adrian Keatley praised the 25-1 runner-up Kihavah, saying, “He’s a great horse and does brilliant things for our yard. The winner won well, but we ran a brilliant race and are delighted.”

Ian Williams commented on the third-placed Oneforthegutter, “I never expected him to get in off his mark, but he has run a huge race. He and Joe (Fanning) have just gelled together and ultimately just got outstayed. It was a huge performance and a bit better than we were expecting.”

The race was overshadowed by a fatal injury to Crystal Delight, who unseated Tom Marquand while leading. Trainer Harry Eustace expressed his heartbreak, saying, “Everyone involved with Crystal Delight is totally heartbroken. He was the most noble and kind warrior you could ever meet. We will miss him.”

BetZone

Sky Bet Ebor Heritage Handicap
£500,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 1m 5f 188y, Class 2
20 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (1)    Magical Zoe 6 9-6 Henry De Bromhead W J Lee 11/2F
2 (8) 2¾ Kihavah 7 8-13 Adrian Paul Keatley P J McDonald 25/1
3 (10) nk Oneforthegutter 5 8-8 Ian Williams Joe Fanning 25/1
4 (16) 1 Epic Poet 5 9-4 David O'Meara Daniel Tudhope 10/1
5 (2) ½ Hipop De Loire 7 9-7 W P Mullins Colin Keane 8/1
6 (9) nk Sea King 5 9-3 Sir Mark Prescott Bt Luke Morris 12/1
7 (5) nse Onesmoothoperator 6 9-5 Brian Ellison Connor Beasley 33/1
8 (20) 1¼ Relentless Voyager 4 9-12 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 12/1
9 (13) nk My Mate Mozzie 8 9-2 Gavin Cromwell Gary Carroll 12/1
10 (7) 1¼ Forza Orta 6 8-4 Kevin Ryan Cam Hardie 80/1
11 (18) nk Chillingham 5 9-0 Edward Bethell Callum Rodriguez 18/1
12 (3) hd Burdett Road 4 9-5 James Owen Silvestre De Sousa 9/1
13 (4) hd Ziggy 6 9-5 4ex Harry Eustace Richard Kingscote 15/2
14 (15) shd Fairbanks 4 9-4 Andrew Balding David Probert 18/1
15 (11) 5 Naqeeb 4 9-9 William Haggas Jim Crowley 10/1
16 (12) 4 Wise Eagle 7 9-11 Adam Nicol Ben Robinson 50/1
17 (22) 4¼ Queenstown 4 9-11 A P O'Brien James Doyle 9/1
18 (21) 6½ Yashin 5 9-9 Mrs John Harrington Oisin Orr 22/1
19 (19) 43 Iron Lion 4 8-13 David O'Meara Rossa Ryan 22/1
UR (17) Crystal Delight 5 9-9 Harry Eustace Tom Marquand 22/1
NR 15 (6) Alfred Boucher 8 9-3 Ian Williams NON RUNNER
NR 16 (14) Not So Sleepy 12 9-3 Hughie Morrisonn NON RUNNER

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