Irish-trained horses dominating top-level contests on the Flat and over jumps in the UK have been a familiar sight in recent times but the tables were dramatically turned in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup as the three British raiders filled the first three positions.
Victory went to the 13-2 shot Almaqam who landed the spoils for trainer Ed Walker and jockey Kieran Shoemark. He had two lengths to spare over the George Scott-trained Bay City Roller with the Roger Varian-trained Saddadd a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Minnie Hauk, sent off the 4-6 favourite, trailed in a disappointing fourth.
Reflecting on Almaqam’s Group 1 breakthrough, Walker said: “Fair play to the horse, as he hadn’t run for a long time and he dug deep. It’s a relief too, as I have banged on about this horse for long enough now so it is great to finally do it. People were probably bored with me talking about him and not producing, so hopefully this is his year and we can aim high now.”
Assessing the favourite’s defeat, Aidan O’Brien felt the stop-start nature of the race didn’t play to Minnie Hauk’s strengths over a trip short of her best.
He said: “They jumped and they went for three furlongs and Ryan [Moore, jockey] gave her a chance, which was the right thing, but then the pace went out of the race completely. They walked in the middle of the race and he ended up at the back, on a mile and a half filly so she had no chance.”
Asked if the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot next month remains on the agenda for last year’s Arc runner-up, O’Brien added: “That’s very possible. We’ll see what the lads want to do but she wants an even end-to-end mile and a quarter to be competitive. Put a line through that run, don’t worry about it.”
A return to Group 1 company is next on the agenda for City Of Memphis after the Paddy Twomey-trained Sioux Nation filly completed a quickfire hat-trick by winning the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes in the hands of Billy Lee.
Fifth in last year’s Irish 1,000 Guineas after just one win in a maiden, City Of Memphis was given the rest of the season off, a move that has proven a masterstroke.
After such a busy start to the season, Twomey ruled City Of Memphis out of a trip to Royal Ascot next month but when she does return, she’ll be keeping top company.
“After her Guineas run, I said that we’d leave her alone until her four-year-old year and I’d say she is now a Group 1 filly,” Twomey said.
“She won’t go to Ascot but I’ll be looking at races like the Prix Maurice De Gheest, Prix Rothschild, the Matron, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Mile, those kind of races.”
City Of Memphis may not be going to Royal Ascot but Green Carrera will be after the Joseph O’Brien-trained daughter of Lope De Vega justified 4-1 favouritism in the BYD At Finlay Motor Group Spring Fillies Handicap.
The winner looked to have the race in the bag when she hit the front a furlong from home but had to dig deep to repel the fast-finishing Punica Granatum, a short head separating the pair at the line.
“It was a nervous last few strides but the race didn’t set up great for her,” O’Brien said. “The second was closing fast but we think she’s a nice filly going forward.
“The obvious race for her now is the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, which is a straight mile fillies’ handicap and we think she’s the type who could potentially run well in that.”