Ambassador in Great Garrowby triumph

Great Ambassador continued his upward curve of improvement and form when taking the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York, the feature on their Family Raceday, under Tom Marquand for trainer Ed Walker and owner Ebury Racing 6.

Great Ambassador and Tom Marquand win the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

Sent off the 11/10 favourite after a recent Handicap success at Newmarket and a third place in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood, he tracked the early leaders of the six furlong contest and then came through with a winning run on the inside rail, keeping up the gallop to win by 1 and a half lengths to Tabdeed, who was aiming to get back to the level of form that saw him win a Group 3 as a juvenile at Newbury in the Hackwood Stakes.

Setting off on their trip up the Knavesmire, the field of four were all away smartly and into a rhythm. Gulliver made the early pace from Fivethousandtoone, with Tabdeed and Great Ambassador nestled in behind. Fivethousandtoone and Tabdeed ran down the centre of the track before Great Ambassador and the pace setting Gulliver joined them.

With two furlongs to go push came to shove for the field and the pace increased, Tabdeed was caught a little flat footed and trapped for speed. On the far side Great Ambassador went ahead by two lengths as Gulliver wilted into last. Tabdeed challenged Fivethousandtoone and attempted to reel in the leader on the far side, picking up the best close to home, but the bird had already flown and Great Ambassador kept up his gallop to score by just under two lengths to Tabdeed. Fivethousandtoone kept on into third, with Gulliver coming home last.

Great Ambassador and Tom Marquand win the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Speaking after the race, winning jockey Tom Marquand was full of praise for his mount.

“He put the race to bed sharply and he’s a sprinter going places”.

“He beat some Listed performers and is clearly talented”.

He had been installed as the favourite for the Ayr Gold Cup later this month on the back of his earlier performances, but after this success he was no more than 11/2 with the likes of Bet365, with Betfair amongst others to go 13/2 for the cavalry charge on September 18th.

Tom Marquand salutes the connections after he and Great Ambassador win the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Ed Walker and Tom Marquand captured this race last year with the impressive Starman, who has subsequently taken the July Cup this season, with a fine run in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last Saturday culminating in a second place, agonizingly ran out of the win by Emaraaty Ana. If his Garrowby winner from this year continues his upward trend, there is no reason to doubt that Great Ambassador cannot mix it with the best next season.