Saturday Finale Raceday, York, Saturday 9th October 2021 - Rest of the action – Round-up

Oh Herbert Reigns Supreme

Oh Herberts Reign started the day off well for the bookies, as he ran out a 16/1 winner of the opener, the “Watch Racing Free Online at Coral” Nursery under jockey Dane O’Neill for trainer Richard Hannon and owners Team Wallop.

Oh Herberts Reign and Dane O'Neill take the opener on Finale Raceday

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

All of his best runs had been over 7 furlongs, winning once previously, and he duly made it 2 from 3 at the trip when seeing out the final 200 yards of the trip in fine style to score by 2 and a quarter lengths.

At the off Oh Herberts Reign and Dark Moon Rising took each other on, eyeballing each other as the led the field around the long bend towards the straight. Spacer tried to go with them as the pace lifted entering the final 3 furlongs, but ultimately could not find anything when asked by his jockey.

Caio Shark, a 22/1 outsider, presented a big threat 2 furlongs out and attempted to lay it down to the two rivals up front. And whilst he could get his head past Dark Moon Rising, he couldn’t get to the coattails of Oh Herberts Reign, who had decided to go and win the race in the final 200 yards and pulled out a couple of lengths to score well, in the style of a horse who would very much like to go further. Dark Moon Rising held on for third from Grifter and Wootun’sun, with the favourite Hamaki only faring seventh behind High Fibre.

Oh Herberts Reign and Dane O'Neill take the opener on Finale Raceday

PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Dylan Hogan reported to the Stewards after the race that his horse had hung right in the race, which did not go down too well with them it would appear, as after an enquiry regarding possible interference from his mount Caio Shark, they suspended him for two days for careless riding as he reportedly allowed his mount to drift right without correction, which caused Paul Hanagan aboard Wooton’sun to take a check off heels.

Further punishment was in store for Dylan Hogan, as he was also suspended for a further 4 days for using his whip above the permitted level from approaching two furlongs from the finish, resulting in a total of 6 days.

Oh Herberts Reign and Dane O'Neill take the opener on Finale Raceday

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

Bridge belies break to resume winning thread

“A break is better than none”. An old phrase that rang true as Bay Bridge defied a 147 day break to score in cosy fashion in the “Play Coral Racing Super Series For Free” Handicap under Richard Kingscote for his new boss Sir Michael Stoute.

Bay Bridge takes the "Play Coral Racing Super Series For Free” Handicap under Richard Kingscote

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

Originally the favourite for the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal ascot this year before a foot abscess ruled him out, the 15/8F made it 3 from 3 this season, following up from a 5 length Novice and 4 length handicap success before injury struck.

Akmaam took the field along at the start of the 1 mile, 2 and a half furlong trip. He tried to make all but got caught for pace approaching the two furlong pole, possibly getting found out by the tacky underfoot conditions. Platinum Card took the lead and went for home a quarter of a mile out, but was quickly grabbed by the shadowing Bay bridge, who always seemed to have his measure and responded well to pressure, scoring cosily by half a length.

Kingscote was full of praise for his mount afterwards, saying that since his injury Bay bridge had been “progressing very well” and that he had done “absolutely nothing wrong” today. He looks like a horse to follow for next season, and one that is still on the upgrade.

Bay Bridge takes the "Play Coral Racing Super Series For Free” Handicap under Richard Kingscote

PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

However, Kingscote was warned by the Stewards for careless riding, as he had allowed his mount to drift left, carrying Good Birthday off his intended line, 3 furlongs from home.

Blenheim battles on to spoil Cookstown’s party

The Cookstown Cafu looked set for a maiden victory on the Knavesmire, but Blenheim Boy would never surrender and caused a 25/1 shock in the Coral ebfstallions.com Novice Stakes when snatching victory from the long time leader with literally yards to run, and a bob of the head.

Blenheim Boy nails The Cookstown Cafu on the line to win the Coral ebfstallions.com Novice Stakes

PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

The 2 year old son of Churchill was leaving all his best work until the final strides, and clawed victory at the end of the seven furlong contest, and in doing so recorded his finest hour on course for trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Tony Hamilton.

The owners P D Smith Holdings Ltd must have been settled for second place but their charge would never, never give up, and would not accept defeat in the slightest, belying his massive odds.

Elsals dwelt at the start as The Cookstown Cafu took the field along as they ran around the bend and lined up for the cavalry charge down the straight. Matvei Platov tried to challenge up the inside, but his run petered out inside the final furlong.

Blenheim Boy nails The Cookstown Cafu on the line to win the Coral ebfstallions.com Novice Stakes

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

Elsals went up the far rail and tried to surpass the long time leader, but to his credit he was keeping all at bay as the field went into the final 100 yards. All rivals fended off, aside from Blenheim Boy, who came down the outside with a final flourish and won on the nod, prevailing by a short head in a photo finish, the judge being needed to split the two.

If being beaten at the line, agonisingly close, there was a further sting in the tail for Neil Callan, rider of The Cookstown Cafu. He was suspended for 4 days by the stewards after using his whip more than the permitted level inside the final 2 furlongs.

Hollie Doyle reported that her mount, Speranzoso, stopped quickly, but after a routine examination by the vets, no abnormalities were discovered.

Gumball answers Hollie’s Rally cry

The trip from the Cotswolds to the Knavesmire was well worth it for the most famous cake enthusiast on Twitter as Fergal O’Brien sent out Gumball to win the Coral “Best Odds Guaranteed” Handicap for owner Mr Terry Warner and jockey Hollie Doyle.

Gumball and Hollie Doyle win the Coral “Best Odds Guaranteed” Handicap

PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Sent off the 9/4F on his first run for his new trainer after a spell with Philip Hobbs, he stayed on grimly to fend off the tenacious Buriram, who was stepping up in trip and tackling two miles for the first time.

Eagle Court was first to lead, quickly shuffled back by Gumball and Author’s Dream, with the former of the pair going on to lead as the field went down the back.

Gumball and Hollie Doyle win the Coral “Best Odds Guaranteed” Handicap

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

The pace was not frenetic but not slow, an even one given the trip and conditions. Swinging in Gumball had the first two of his rivals off the bridle, with Midrarr and Buriram coming from the midfield to lay down serious challenges.

Midrarr’s effort petered out in the final furlong, but Buriram was coming to serve it to the leader, gaining with every stride. However, the leader’s stamina held out and he held on by a neck, driven by the urgings of his rider and the roars of the crowd, who were admiring the tenacity of the National Hunt stalwart coming up the Knavesmire. Midrarr ran admirably for third, with Autumn War coming home in fourth.

Gumball and connections after their win in the Coral “Best Odds Guaranteed” Handicap

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

Enticing double for Doyle in Knavesmire Finale

With her fiancée scoring top rider at York for the season, there was more case for celebration between Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle as she scored a quickfire double aboard bottom weight Something Enticing in the finale of the season at York, the Coral “Proud Sponsors Of British Racing Finale” Handicap for trainer David Elsworth and owners Trebles Holford Thoroughbreds.

Something Enticing and Hollie Doyle win the Coral “Proud Sponsors Of British Racing Finale” Handicap

PHOTO: Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

A 9/1 chance at the off, the 3 year old filly made late progress to lead in the final 110 yards of the mile and a quarter contest to score by just under a length and a half from Lucander and Last Look, who was making their seasonal debut after a winter in Meydan.

Skycutter was slow away at the start, with Tilsitt one of the early leaders. First Impression and Spirit Dancer were taking each other on for the lead, with the former getting the rail and going on by a length.

Something Enticing and Hollie Doyle win the Coral “Proud Sponsors Of British Racing Finale” Handicap

PHOTO: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Swinging in Something Enticing was trapped for room in mid division, shuffled back slightly but still travelling fine. Last Look and Spirit Dancer eyeballed one another and went to tussle out the final two furlongs. Lucander joined in the fray with a furlong to run, but all three were quickly swamped by Something Enticing, who was finishing with a wet sail on the outside. She quickly put the race to bed and won very nicely under a sustained drive from Hollie Doyle, winning easily in the end and scoring her rider a quickfire double.