Falls gold
STEWARDS’ DOUBLE FOR COMMANCHE
COMMANCHE FALLS’ love of Glorious Goodwood continued as he made it back-to-back victories in the Coral Stewards’ Cup.
The last horse to previously take this notoriously difficult puzzle in successive years was Sky Diver 54 years ago in 1967 and 1968.
Connor Beasley, in the saddle last year and again yesterday, was not surprised by the victory despite the gelding’s lack of recent form.
“I rode him in a bit of work on Wednesday and he felt like he was coming into himself,” said Beasley, 27.
“He seems to roll with the cambers here and springs to life.
“He did a bit of a fly leap at the start but was soon in a good position.
“I wanted to be behind the back of the pace but when I rousted him along to get there, I hit the front way too soon.
“He just idled in front but when Hollie Doyle came to his quarters on Tabdeed, he stuck his neck out.
“It’s fantastic for all connections and the team back at home. I’m over the moon.
“He’s got a big, long neck on him and a big stride and I just felt that when I asked him to go again when Hollie arrived, I felt he stretched his neck out once more.
“I was quietly confident that we’d won, but you can never be too sure when it’s that close (short-head).”
Regional took third place, with Good Eye in fourth. The heavily backed Inver Park, who went from 10-1 to 9-2 favourite, ran like champagne that had been uncorked the day before when finishing eighth.
Like last year, winning trainer Michael Dods (below) was saddling his runners at Thirsk, from where he said: “It’s what dreams are made of.
“To do the double is a special day for the team.
“And I’m chuffed for Connor, too. He gets the chance to show people how good a jockey he is on days like this. “We thought he’d run a big race at Ascot but it all went wrong as he unseated David Probert coming out of the stalls.
“So we had to take a ticket and ensure he went in last today. “I don’t know what it is but we do well with horses like him. He’s a bit quirky, like his brother Dakota Gold.
“We don’t overwork them, we keep it simple and it’s a real team effort.”
Kim Bailey, better known for his triumphs in the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle, celebrated his first Goodwood winner after Ajero took the Bloodstock Agents Handicap under Jim Crowley. Bailey said: “It’s only my second runner at Goodwood.
“I even bought a hat to come here – I thought I ought to look the part, if nothing else!”