Brando takes lead role as Brits clean up

ONE-TIME sprint sensation Caravaggio flopped again in Deauville yesterday, leaving Brando to play a starring role and lead home a British one-twothree in the Group One LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Loaded with a blindfold for the first time after previously showing signs of restlessness in the stalls, the July Cup fourth was again slowly away under Ryan Moore, who asked his mount to quicken at halfway but got a limited response.

With Moore and the odds-on favourite toiling, it was left to the Kevin Ry a n - trained Brando and rider Tom Eaves to take advantage and he eased to the front after travelling strongly to the furlong marker.

Aclaim, an unlucky sixth in Tuesday’s Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, emerged to lay down a challenge for trainer Martyn Meade, but Brando hit the line half a length clear of his fellow British rival with Tupi staying on to take third.

Ryan (above) had to shut down his yard completely in early June for a few weeks after one of his horses tested positive for equine herpes and was clearly relieved to have landed one of the season’s biggest sprinting contests.

‘It’s a great day. We’re delighted with the horse,’ said the Hambleton-based trainer. ‘He got a great ride and he was exceptional. We’ll look at Haydock (Sprint Cup, September 9) next.’