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Grand display from Quickthorn

Quickthorn showed class and guts in equal measure to get the repel the ominous-looking challenge of market rival Israr in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes.

Ridden aggressively by Jason Hart, Quickthorn was winning for the first time since taking the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup over the extended two miles at last year’s Ebor Festival and put his proven stamina to good use in the mile and three-quarter event.

Israr, unproven beyond 12 furlongs, was ridden chilly by Jim Crowley, who was still cutting a confident figure in the saddle when looming up to make his challenge a couple of furlongs from the finish.

Israr was asked for maximum effort inside the last furlong and got to within a length of the Hughie Morrison-ridden winner, but Quickthorn found extra close home to win by a length and a half.

Quickthorn was introduced at 12/1 by the sponsors for the Sky Bet Ebor, for which he has earned a starting berth following Saturday’s success.

Five in a row for remarkable Quinault

The extraordinary rise of Quinault continued at York as the Stuart Williams-trained three-year-old picked up his fifth straight success in the highly competitive Oakmere Homes Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap.

Having started out handicap life with a BHA mark of just 59, the son of Oasis Dream followed up his two recent Newmarket victories by defying a rating of 85 under promising 5lb claimer Connor Planas on the Knavesmire.

It was a close run thing as the line loomed, 15/2 chance Quinault just getting up in the shadow of the post to deny Jamie Spencer on board the Kevin Ryan-trained Washington Heights (6/1 favourite).

Third went to top weight Mill Stream (9/1), who travelled strongly and briefly looked likely to mount a serious challenge for victory, with Eminency (10/1) fourth and Rabaah (9/1) back in fifth. Sky Bet paid seven places on the race and those positions were filled by Redemption Time at 22/1 and Pure Angel at 16s.

Kihavah a class apart under Townend

Top Irish amateur Jody Townend won her first Queen Mother’s Cup Handicap at York on the Adrian Keatley-trained Kihavah, who won with loads to spare as the well-backed 11/4 market leader.

Townend had a dream run through on the six-year-old, who was backing up a hurdles win at Market Rasen at the start of the month, and could be spotted travelling on the bridle as the rest came under the pump two and a half furlongs out.

He cruised to the head of affairs and was just kept up to his work – perhaps aided by the loose Saratoga Gold who had unseated Kayleigh Stephens over on the far side of the track – to comfortably hold the rallying Dream Harder (7/1) who filled the runner-up spot.

It was tight in behind with Furzig, Yorkshire Lady and Bolin Margaret all involved for the placings.

Townend said: “It was my first time here in York and to ride a winner that easy is really sweet.

“It’s the ladies’ Gold Cup or Derby here and it’s great to win it. I owe a lot to Adrian so thanks to the team – he rang me two weeks ago and I knew he meant business.

“The loose horse gave me a bit of a fright as I thought it was something coming to beat me but in the end I think it helped me.

“I’ve a pretty good job in Ireland so won’t be giving it up too easily but it’s great to come over and ride in these races as well. I’m delighted!”

Townend, who won her weight in champagne as is tradition in this event, added: “There’ll be a few thick heads when that all comes home!”

Saeed bin Suroor’s good run of form continued as Wild Lion toughed it out to win the Sky Bet Handicap on his first British start of the summer.

Last seen finishing down the field at Meydan in February, the five-year-old chestnut was prominent throughout and responded well to the fitting of first-time cheekpieces to stay on strongly under Kieran O’Neill and beat the teak-tough Gweedore (22/1) by half a length. Scottish Summer was third at 11/1.

It was Wild Lion’s first turf success of his career and Paddy Power cut his antepost price for the Bunbury Cup to 14/1 from 20s.

Rest of the action…

Twilight Romance made it second time lucky in the Reg Griffin Appreciation EBFstallions.com Maiden Stakes, building on a promising debut second at Haydock to beat We Never Stop by two and three-quarter lengths.

John Quinn’s colt looked to have a scrap on his hands but ultimately pulled nicely clear to give Jason Hart a double on the day.

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