LEE JUMPS AT THE CHANCE
GRAHAM LEE continued his rollercoaster career by landing the Coolmore Nunthorpe on 40-1 no-hoper Alpha Delphini in a pulsating head-bobbing finish.
The 42-year-old jockey, who won the Grand National on Amberleigh House in 2004, later switched to the Flat and was bagging one of the fastest races of the season on Bryan Smart’s sprinter.
Alpha Delphini edged out Mabs Cross by a nose after the judge spent more than five minutes examining the photo finish.
Lee, who rode more than 1,000 winners over jumps and was once leading pilot at the Cheltenham Festival, was claiming his second Group One success on the Flat after the 2015 Ascot Gold Cup victory on Trip To Paris.
He said: “It’s a bit mad. I’m riding the rollercoaster and enjoying the ride and when it stops I’ll get off and say thanks a million.
“The hardest part of riding Alpha Delphini is going down to the start but he was so relaxed today.
“I suggested leaving the cheekpieces off which may have helped.”
It was a sweet victory for trainer Bryan Smart, based in Hambleton, North Yorkshire.
Smart said: “He tries his heart out for you. He has had back problems. He gets massaged and is looked after as if he is a king.
“Today he was more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him.”
Battaash, who achieved Europe’s top sprinter status after his Goodwood romp, proved a mystifying flop in fourth.
Jockey Jim Crowley said: “I don’t know what to make of it. He just didn’t have any kick.”
Smart’s Hambleton neighbour Kevin Ryan has made the Gimcrack Stakes his own down the years and he won it for the fourth time when Emaraaty Ana made most of the running to repel his eight rivals.
Target
It was a late chance ride for Frankie Dettori, who was standing in for a poorly Jamie Spencer.
Ryan, who won the race with Amadeus Wolf (2005), Blaine (2012) and Astaire (2013), believes Emaraaty Ana will stay a mile and could target the 2,000 Guineas next season.
He said: “He has always been a very good horse. He won nicely first time and was a bit disappointing at Newbury. He is still immature and he will stay further in time.
“You just leave the riding to Frankie.”
Titus landed a gamble in the Sky Bet Handicap for Malton trainer Declan Carroll. The four-year-old looks ahead of the handicapper and won easing down under Ger O’Neill.
And Karl Burke put the disappointment of Laurens’ Yorkshire Oaks defeat behind him by winning the Convivial Maiden with Commanding Officer...