Not so fast, Frankie
Marsha steals Dettori glory
Marsha ignored the script to snatch a dramatic victory in the Coolmore Nunthorpe stakes and nobody was more surprised than Frankie Dettori on runner-up Lady aurelia.
The elated Italian punched the air in delight after crossing the line believing the 10-11 favourite, who looked the likely winner when powering to the front at the furlong pole, had hung on to victory. But Dettori’s joy was short-lived as moments
later it was announced 8-1 shot Marsha, trained by Sir Mark Prescott and ridden by Luke Morris, had won by a nose.
a crestfallen dettori said: ‘i’m speechless. you saw it yourself. Ow! i thought i’d won a neck.’
the announcement of the official result caused a gasp of astonishment to sweep across the Knavesmire. it was the third time this week when the initial naked eye impression of a photofinish had caused surprise on track. On Wednesday, Wells Farhh go emerged a nose clear of dettori-ridden James garfield in the acomb Stakes when it seemed the verdict had gone the other way.
the Queen’s dartmouth also looked to have clung on in yesterday’s Weatherbys Lonsdale cup only to be beaten a nose by andrew Balding’s Montaly.
Morris, riding his third group One winner but his first in Britain, admitted his initial reaction had been influenced by dettori’s celebration. ‘i went from despair to joy in the space of 30 seconds,’ he admitted.
Prescott was not present to see Marsha but in a race which had been billed as a showdown between Lady aurelia and charlie hills-trained Battaash, his assistant Willie Butler said he had been confident approaching the race ‘under the radar’.
Marsha had finished behind Lady aurelia at royal ascot and in the slipstream of Battaash at glorious goodwood, but you did not have to delve too deep in her form to find success in last season’s group One Prix de L’abbaye de Longchamp.
Butler added: ‘She always does her best work at the end and i saw her travelling so well i thought she had a chance.
‘Lady aurelia was unbeatable on the day at royal ascot, but in a five-furlong race there is always a chance when you turn up.’
Marsha is owned by the 10,000 members of the elite racing club, who all pay £180 a year for their enjoyment. the filly is named after syndicate member Marsha holliman, who won a competition to name the filly.
She can now look forward to her equine namesake trying to win the abbaye for a second time at chantilly on October 1.
there she may face a rematch with Battaash. he was beaten just over five lengths in fourth with his temperament — he was most reluctant to enter the stalls — hampering him.
his 50-1 third-placed stablemate cotai glory was just over a length in front of him.
the Breeders’ cup is next for Lady aurelia. her trainer Wesley Ward, whose acapulco finished runner-up to Mecca’s angel in the 2015 Nunthorpe, said: ‘ two seconds in this race is tough. One of these days i hope to get it.’