News And Views From Nicky Henderson Yard

Nicky Henderson remains unconcerned about Long Run's defeat at Haydock as he prepares to step up his heavyweight's preparations for the William Hill King George VI Chase next week.

Long Run will return to Kempton on Boxing Day to defend his crown and is 13-8 favourite with the sponsors despite an eight-length defeat by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase.

Henderson points to the form of last season, when the six-year-old could only manage third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham before demolishing Kauto Star at Sunbury. He then went on to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory.

"He's very good and seems very happy in himself," said Henderson, who showed off a handful of his Kempton contenders on a grey and windy press morning at his Lambourn stable.

"He did two canters this morning and he won't do any more serious work until next week. As long as the King George is on the 26th (rather than postponed like last year), then hopefully we'll get the timings right."


Looking back to the Betfair Chase, the trainer said: "He didn't blow for unnecessarily long afterwards and you look back at his run in the Paddy Power and say 'was that any better?'. This was probably better.

"Kauto beat us fair and square on the day and he could be better this year. He's certainly going to be hard to beat and Paul Nicholls had him ready for the day.

"We were ready enough and, as he has won a King George and a Gold Cup, you don't want him to get beaten, but he's a real star and he still has the rest of the season to show that."

A less likely King George starter is Riverside Theatre, who was a runner-up by 12 lengths last year and only managed one more run, when winning the Ascot Chase, before suffering a setback.

"I put him in the race and he's good, but it's nearly December and he's still cantering, so I think you'd say he was unlikely," said Henderson. "His main objectives are Ascot again, and the Ryanair Chase."


Binocular will be back for another crack at the William Hill Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day as trainer Nicky Henderson juggles the campaigns of four potential Champion Hurdle horses.

Henderson is not giving up on the 2010 Cheltenham hero, even though he faltered last season after an impressive success in the Kempton Grade One and has now suffered three consecutive defeats in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, including when beaten by Overturn at Newcastle last week.

"He's in exactly the same position as last year. He was a bit flat at Newcastle, but he has come back really well and Overturn is a hard horse to pass," said Henderson.

"He's OK, and he was very good at Kempton last year. Overturn is very good, but he's at the top of his game and I can't see that there is a lot more to come from him. There's a long way to go."

Oscar Whisky, who fell at the last when alongside Overturn in the Ascot Hurdle, is a possibility for the Relkeel at Cheltenham, while another to be bound for Prestbury Park is Grandouet.

Last season's Triumph Hurdle third and Punchestown Festival winner bounced back from a fall on his reappearance at Wincanton by running away with a minor event at Haydock.

The trainer went on: "He's going to run in the International at Cheltenham. He was impressive at Haydock and impressive at Punchestown and I'd just like to give him another look at Cheltenham to make sure it's the right place to go."


Spirit Son, second to Al Ferof in the Supreme and an impressive winner at Aintree, is not out of the equation either.

Henderson explained that Michael Buckley's gelding would not be running in the Christmas Hurdle, but said: "I think I'd concentrate on the Champion Hurdle. He's that good."

Melbourne Cup Contender Barbican In A Listed Race Tt Kempton

Alan Bailey saddles Barbican in a Listed race at Kempton today with high hopes his stable star can develop into a Melbourne Cup contender next November.

While Bailey is convinced the three-year-old is continuing to improve, he is worried the mile-and-a-half trip of the Back Or Lay At betdaq.com Wild Flower Stakes may be on the short side.

"He's well enough in himself and the surface shouldn't be a problem. He won on his debut on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. I just wish this race was over two miles, rather than a mile and a half, but this horse is improving all the time," said the Newmarket trainer.

"We'll see if he gets invited to Dubai or not. We've entered him, but you have to wait and see. I'm not bothered if he goes to Dubai or he doesn't. The Melbourne Cup is towards the end of next year and that will definitely be on the agenda."

Didn`t She Do Well!

Lackamon got favourite-backers off to a winning start at Newcastle as he ran out a determined winner of the Tickety Boo Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Sue Smith's stayer was strongly backed into 15-8 for this three-mile test and was ridden positively throughout by Henry Oliver.

Recent course winner Tiptoeaway put it up the market leader racing down the back straight and briefly took the lead under James Reveley, but Lackamon's stamina kicked in once they straightened up for home and he produced a couple of prodigious leaps to secure a 12-length triumph.


Oliver said: "The horse is improving with each race and he's tough. He jumped well when he needed to and it was a good performance."

Smith and Oliver found the target for a second time as 14-1 chance Fill The Power landed a warm-looking MGM Precision Ltd 'The French Furze' Novices' Hurdle.

Having been beaten in an Aintree handicap on his latest start, the five-year-old looked to have plenty on his plate against a handful of dangerous southern raiders.

But as his stablemate had done earlier in the day, Fill The Power went out to make every post a winning one and galloped on strongly in the straight to score by seven lengths from South Leinster.

Oliver said: "He's still a big, green baby, but he's a lovely horse for the future. He ran on softer ground last year and didn't seem to handle it all that well, but he's stronger now and he's done it well today."

Overturn Makes All

Overturn made all to claim a first Grade One victory in the stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Donald McCain's charge won the Coral Hurdle at Ascot last week and turned out just seven days later to account for 5-4 favourite Binocular in some style in the hands of Jason Maguire.

Celestial Halo was the first of the 'big three' to crack and though Binocular held every chance coming down the straight, he could never get to Overturn (7-4) and was beaten by four and a half lengths.

Peddlers Cross gives another fluent display at Bangor.

Peddlers Cross preserved his unbeaten record over fences with another fluent display at Bangor.

Donald McCain's big hope easily made it two wins from two starts in his embryonic chasing career when accounting for Grade One-winning hurdler Minella Class by eight lengths.

Last season's Champion Hurdle runner-up, who also won at Bangor earlier this month, again jumped with measured style in the Malise Nicolson Bright Future Novices' Chase.

Jason Maguire's partner bounded into the lead after the first fence and was later joined by chasing debutant Minella Class at the front end.

The six-year-old (2-13 favourite) made a slight mistake four out, but had far too many guns for the runner-up.

Peddlers Cross is now in line to get further experience over fences before Cheltenham at Haydock on December 17.


Maguire, who dashed straight off by helicopter to ride Overturn at Newcastle, said: "It was grand. We had to get racing a bit down the back and that was good as it's all good experience for him.

"He won't learn anything if he just has to do a hack canter every time he runs, so it will have done him some good.

"He could go to Haydock in a few weeks and we'll go from there. It's all about getting experience into him."

Peddlers Cross was already ante-post favourite for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival in March before this stylish victory. He is now the 7-2 market leader with Paddy Power.

Old Boys Are Still There...thank goodness!

Owner Paul Barber is keeping his fingers crossed Denman can take a leaf out of old rival Kauto Star's book when he returns to action at Leopardstown next month.

The 11-year-old Kauto Star rolled back the years to defeat younger champion Long Run with an imperious performance in Saturday's Betfair Chase after many had written him off and stablemate Denman is the same age and in a similar boat, but he too has been pleasing trainer Paul Nicholls ahead of his intended comeback in the Lexus Chase.

Barber said: "He's looking great at the moment and enjoying life. Paul is very pleased with how he's been going at home and if we can manage to get him to Leopardstown in the same form as Kauto Star was at Haydock on Saturday that will be wonderful."

He added: "He's doing everything right at the moment and we look forward to the Lexus Chase. Kauto was brilliant on Saturday. This time last week both he and Denman were available at 25-1 for the Gold Cup, but that has changed a bit now.

"The old boys are still there."

Tut Tut Mr Fallon!

Kieren Fallon has been fined a total of £3,140 by the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority over his failure to arrive in time to take his first two rides at Chester on May 5.

The BHA looked into the circumstances surrounding Fallon's late arrival at the course to ride Fred Willetts and Forte Dei Marmi.

The six-times champion jockey was given the lion's share of the fine, £3,000, after being found guilty of deliberately misleading a BHA employee, namely William Nunneley who was head of Stewarding at Chester on the day.

He was handed the other £140 for not informing the clerk of the course with an explanation as soon as possible after he became aware he would be unable to ride the two horses in those races.

The BHA will publish the full reasons for their decisions in due course

Seven From Seven For Henderson

Nicky Henderson achieved a notable first today as a four-timer at Kempton contributed to a grand total of seven winners from as many runners across the country.

Henderson chooses the tracks close to his Lambourn stable to introduce many of his better prospects at this time of year and certainly the routine victories in moderate company for Darlan, Chablais and Mossley were expected as the trainer juggled his responsibilities as host of a charity lunch for the Starlight Children's Foundation.

With Foxbridge, Owen Glendower and Top Of The Range following in at Ludlow and Ffos Las, there was also the added pleasure to come of Whoops A Daisy boosting her breeding value in the Listed Coolmore NH Sires "Ask & Getaway" Mares' Hurdle.

Henderson said: "I don't know if I've had seven, I remember having six one Boxing Day or the day after, but we haven't had seven out of seven, that I can be fairly sure of. We had a fantastic day on Friday with five winners and then Saturday was a bit bruising with Long Run and Oscar Whisky being beaten, but this is quite special as I am chairman of the Starlight charity day and we will hopefully raise a lot of money."

Mossley was the shortest-priced runner at Kempton at 1-8 favourite following his second place in last season's Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

"I think Mossley slightly went to sleep, he made one mistake, but Barry said he winged the last two," Henderson said.

There was a little added pressure in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle as owner JP McManus was on hand to watch his 1-4 favourite Darlan, who was not fluent but still was a class apart from his rivals.

And even if Chablais (8-15 favourite) developed a habit of jumping to the left in the two-mile Halcyon Gallery Novices' Chase, the lightly-raced gelding had pounds in hand himself.

Henderson said: "We've got to get these novices out, so it was just nice to see Darlan go and do it. Eventually a pecking order will work out but the novices look good and he's nice.

"Chablais fell apart on us last season and he had to have time off. He's not the most straight-forward and I would have preferred him to have been running over a bit further really. Barry said if it hadn't been for the jumping to the left, he would have been perfect. Barry felt it might have been more because he was left in front on his own than anything else. You find these things out on the racecourse."

Grands Crus For Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday

Grands Crus has not been ruled out of a clash with Long Run and Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

One of the highest-rated hurdlers to be sent over fences in recent times, the six-year-old grey made a seamless transition to his new discipline at Cheltenham on Friday.

A decision on whether he will be confirmed for the first Grade One chase competed for in Britain this season will be made on Monday morning.

Trainer David Pipe said: "He's come out of the race well and it was a great start for him over fences.

"Whether we confirm him for the Betfair will not be decided until Monday morning - I'll speak to the owners. There are plenty of options for him."

The December Gold Cup - Great Endeavour Return?

Great Endeavour could return to Cheltenham next month after his win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday.

The December Gold Cup has emerged as a possibility for the seven-year-old, who bounced back to his best in the competitive handicap.

Jonjo O'Neill's Exotic Dancer was the last horse to win both races in the same season, in 2006, and he went on to finish second to Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase on his next start.

The Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury over an extended three and a quarter miles on November 26 is also being considered, though Great Endeavour has yet to win over that distance.


Trainer David Pipe said: "That was very good as he lost a plate during the race. He ate up on Saturday night and has come out of it very well.

"The Hennessy is a possible or coming back here (Cheltenham) in a month's time for the two-mile-five handicap chase. We'll have a word with DJ (David Johnson, owner) and decide."

Snow Fairy Triumphs Again!

Ed Dunlop's Snow Fairy produced an amazing turn of foot to win the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup for the second year in succession.

Ryan Moore's mount looked to have plenty to do turning into the straight as she was at least 10 lengths behind the runaway leader Shimmei Fuji, with a dozen horses still in front of her.


In front of a huge crowd at Kyoto in Japan, last year's winner began to stay on strongly but it looked as if a place was going to be the best she could hope for with a furlong to run. However, running on the fast ground she loves, the four-year-old quickened up in fantastic style to burst through and beat Aventura by a neck with Apapane third.


Snow Fairy was drawn widest of all in stall 18, which made her performance even more meritorious.

William Haggas' Oaks winner Dancing Rain could never get in a blow.

Johnny Murtagh decided to hold her up in the rear from stall 14, rather than adopting her front-running tactics, but she never threatened at any stage.

Cheltenham Preview...20 declared for the Paddy Power Gold Cup

Mon Parrain heads a field of 20 declared for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has a dismal record in this particular race but he will be hoping the unexposed five-year-old can put the record straight. And for good measure, Nicholls will also be represented in the prestigious handicap chase by top-weight Poquelin and Aerial. Poquelin's presence means the weights will not go up, leaving the bottom eight horses, including Aerial, out of the handicap proper.


Philip Hobbs has elected to run Wishfull Thinking, winner of races at the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals last spring. Nicky Henderson will saddle Dave's Dream and Quantitativeeasing while last year's winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies runs both Swincombe Rock and Billie Magern.


There are two Irish-trained challengers in the shape of Henry de Bromhead's Loosen My Load and Tom Taaffe's Finger Onthe Pulse. Completing a quality field are Oiseau de Nuit, Great Endeavour, Holmwood Legend, The Giant Bolster, Calgary Bay, Araldur, Noble Alan, Tullamore Dew, Divers and Fine Parchment.

As expected, Noble Prince was withdrawn by his trainer Paul Nolan and another notable absentee was Malcolm Jefferson's Cape Tribulation, who prefers softer ground.

Araldur was a Grade Two winner over fences as a novice but that was back in the 2008-09 season. Last campaign was spent competing over hurdles as King felt he needed a confidence boost after breaking his pelvis and he won twice. He returned to chasing with a good effort at Wetherby last month and King feels he deserves his place in the field.


"We were delighted how well Araldur ran on his return to fences at Wetherby, where he was on the heels of the leaders when brought to a standstill by a faller at the second last," he told his website.

"He showed plenty of spirit to battle on for second behind Fistral Beach and, being such a huge horse, Araldur, who had been off since the spring, is sure to come on for that. It is very competitive, but he deserves his shot."

Exeter Review...well done Emma!

Andover trainer Emma Lavelle stole the show at Exeter with a treble, the first of her career.

Lavelle won both divisions of the racinglottery.co.uk Novices' Hurdle with Gullinbursti and Highland Lodge, while Easter Meteor won the Sun Inn Buckfastleigh Beginners' Chase.

Gullinbursti (3-1) travelled supremely well throughout and the Cork bumper winner looks a nice prospect having beaten horses from the Paul Nicholls and Philip Hobbs yards in the process.


Lavelle said: "He had a bit of education in Ireland and he's just a nice stamp of a horse. He's very straightforward, a little bit green with his jumping at times but basically very good. He's definitely one for the future. We know he'll jump a fence, he's got plenty of ability and he's one to look forward to."

Lavelle and jockey Jack Doyle were back in the winner's enclosure when Highland Lodge (7-2) cruised home, and Doyle told ATR: "I'd been filling him up after jumping the last down the back so I knew that I had loads of horse left. He was only just doing enough in front."

Easter Meteor (7-4) had shown promising form in novice hurdles but always had the look of a chaser and was foot-perfect. His sister Easter Legend won the mares' final at Newbury last March.

"He was so professional today," said Lavelle. "In fairness Barry (Fenton, former jockey and Lavelle's partner) has been schooling him at home and he deserves credit.

"He said I should have no worries dropping him in trip as he was so quick through the air. His jumping was great today. Jack said he lost a little concentration when he was out on his own down the back when he got in a bit tight to a couple, but he was very good."


Champion trainer Nicholls continues to make waves with the horses sent to him by owner Graham Wylie, and The Knoxs was the latest to win in the Pertemps Qualifier for Daryl Jacob.

Nicholls said: "He's obviously got a huge engine and seeing him do that, you never know we might have a bit more fun over hurdles with him, but not necessarily in handicaps after today."

Peddlers Cross Makes A Smooth Transition

Champion Hurdle runner-up Peddlers Cross made a smooth transition to fences with a straightforward victory in the Golden Bear Beginners' Chase at Bangor.

Donald McCain's dual Grade One winner did little more than expected under Timmy Murphy in beating two rivals rated vastly inferior, but there was still plenty of encouragement to be taken from his fluent and accurate jumping.

The 1-8 favourite had his opponents cooked a long way from home in the extended two-mile-one-furlong event, and negotiated the last couple of fences in the straight immaculately to win by a ready four and a half lengths.

The Chazer ran a fine race to finish second, with early pacesetter Laterly coming home last of the three.


McCain said: "I'm relieved and he's done what we always expect of him. The only time he's done anything wrong it was my fault, we shouldn't have gone to Aintree (at the end of last season).

"I was kicking myself afterwards and when you saw how hard he struggled after the last to the line at Cheltenham I should never have even contemplated going. Thankfully, I've got an owner that forgives me.

"You expected him to make one small mistake going round, but I didn't see one. He's done everything we've asked him to do and done it really well. There is no substitute for experience and I'd like to think we'll get two or three more (runs) into him at least.

"Last season's light campaign was firstly due to the weather and secondly due to him being under the weather. He loves his job."

Murphy said: "I was delighted. He did everything I asked and when you needed to be a bit long he can be and when you needed to get in tight he can be, I didn't need to make his mind up. I couldn't ask for a better ride first time over fences.

"He's quick horse and a high-class hurdler. If I'm honest, my only worry was that he'd still be a little bit 'hurdley', but he wasn't. He did it very professionally and concentrated on everything he was doing. He's had a perfect start and I'm sure Donald has left a bit that he can build on. The sky's the limit at the moment."

News On Peddlers Cross

Donald McCain is keeping everything crossed that Peddlers Cross can avoid any mishaps and make a winning start to his chasing career at Bangor.

The six-year-old won his first seven starts and went down fighting when eventually losing his unbeaten record at the hands of Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

He ran below par on his final outing of last season at Aintree in the spring, but McCain has been thrilled with his star performer since his summer break and he starts out in the Golden Bear Beginners' Chase, in which he will be long odds-on to beat three inferior rivals.

The trainer said: "I can't say I'm particularly looking forward to it! This has been his target for a while, it's a grand track and the ground should be lovely, so let's just hope we can get it out of the way in the right way. He's very well at home and everything has gone nicely."


With stable jockey Jason Maguire (photo) sidelined by injury, Peddlers Cross will be partnered by Timmy Murphy at the Welsh track.

McCain added: "Timmy came in and sat on him the other day and it was fine. It's all a bit different for him as Jason is the only one who has ridden him under rules, but there's nothing we can do about that and it shouldn't be a problem.

"We won't make any plans until we get this race out of the way. As we saw at Exeter last week with Menorah (unseating Richard Johnson), these things are never as straightforward as people think."


Due to take on Peddlers Cross at Bangor was last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Al Ferof, owned by Golden Bear chairman John Hales, but connections had a late change of heart due to Ruby Walsh's unavailability and he will now run at Cheltenham this weekend instead.

"Bangor was our preferred option but he's not running because Ruby is suspended and we really want him to ride," said Hales.

"We were hoping he would get the ban overturned at last week's appeal but that didn't happen, so he'll run at Cheltenham on Sunday instead. Ruby has done all the schooling on the horse and knows him well, so we think it's important he can ride."

Trouble At Sedgey

Conditional jockey John Winston was banned for 10 days by the stewards at Sedgefield following his ride aboard On The Right Path in the Norchem Novices' Hurdle.

The 10lb claimer finished fourth, about 16 lengths behind the winner Hawk Mountain, in the two-and-a-half-mile event.

The local stewards found Winston guilty of failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing on the Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding.

Winston's suspension runs from November 22 to December 1 inclusive


John Kington fell foul of the new whip rules after partnering Kayf Commander to victory in the John Smith's No Nonsense Handicap Hurdle.

The 3lb conditional will be banned from November 22 to 26 inclusive after being deemed to have used his whip with excessive frequency.

Betfred November Handicap Preview

Amanda Perrett is hoping Classic Vintage's liking of Doncaster will stand him in good stead in the Betfred November Handicap this afternoon.

The five-year-old was fourth to Times Up 12 months ago and usually puts his best foot forward on Town Moor.

"He's fine, but he's just been waiting for a race as there hasn't been one for older mile-and-a-half horses for about six weeks. Our other horse, Pivotman, didn't get in and I hope the race planners have a look at the situation next year," said the Pulborough trainer.

"He won't mind cut in the ground. He has particular courses that he likes and thankfully Doncaster is one of them."


Times Up's trainer John Dunlop pins his faith on Harlestone Times to repeat the trick.

"Harlestone Times is 4lb higher than when he narrowly won over this trip at Goodwood in May, but comes here in good order having had a nice break since the Mallard here in September. He won on soft ground as a three-year-old," said Dunlop's racing secretary Marcus Hosgood.

Tepmokea could only manage eighth place last year but his trainer Richard Fahey is keen to have another go.

"He's drawn wider (23) than I would have liked, but I won't use that as an excuse. He's a few pounds higher than he was last year, but we're happy with him and we have no problems with the ground," said the Malton handler.

Menorah faces just two rivals today

Menorah faces just two rivals on his fencing debut in the Betfred Goals Galore Novices' Chase at Exeter.

Last season's Champion Hurdle fifth is reported to have taken to the bigger obstacles well at Philip Hobbs's stables. His jockey Richard Johnson is looking forward to putting the practice to use on a track he feels is ideal.


"Exeter is a lovely track to take a novice to," said Johnson.

"He's schooled nicely at home and we hope that he can transfer his hurdle form to fences. If he does then we've got a lot to look forward to."


It is not expected to be a walkover, however, as Paul Nicholls saddles the four-year-old Sam Winner, who receives 8lb from Menorah.

Sam Winner was also not disgraced over timber at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing fourth in the Triumph Hurdle.

The trio is completed by Shammick Boy, who represents the Victor Dartnall team successful in the United House Gold Cup at Ascot on Saturday with Exmoor Ranger.

Hanagan a step closer to back-to-back jockeys' championships

Paul Hanagan moved a step closer to claiming back-to-back jockeys' championships with a winner at Wolverhampton.

Hanagan struck on Richard Fahey's Gritstone (6-5 favourite) in the Breeders' Cup Live ATR Virgin 534 Handicap.

With his main rival Silvestre de Sousa not back in action until Wednesday having flown to Australia to ride Fox Hunt for Mark Johnston in the Melbourne Cup, Hanagan admits his win was vital. He now leads De Sousa by five having ridden his 160th winner of the campaign.


"It's going to be a tough week but this just gives me a bit of a cushion," he told At The Races.

"I just need to keep going for a few more days but it's going to be tough. I've had fantastic support from everybody, obviously the boss (Fahey) has been amazing.

"But those Mr Johnston horses are incredible, they just keep going and going so I won't be able to drop my guard.


"I know how hard Silvestre works and I'll be glad to see him when he gets back.

"It's fantastic for northern racing but also racing as a whole. We need something good to focus on for a change."

Emirates Melbourne Cup Review

French raider Dunaden just pipped British runner Red Cadeaux in a thrilling finish to the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Park.

The Mikel Delzangles-trained runner was racing neck and neck with Ed Dunlop's Red Cadeaux and the pair flashed past the post together to force a photo.

However, Christophe Lemaire just edged in front aboard Dunaden at the line to deny Michael Rodd aboard Red Cadeaux.

Delzangles said: "I'm still shaking. It's amazing. I thought I was beaten so it's even better."

Lemaire only stepped in for the ride at the last minute after Craig Williams was ruled out of the race through suspension.

Williams rode Dunaden to win the Geelong Cup in his prep race earlier this month and Delzangles paid tribute to his efforts.

He added: "I would like to have a thought for Craig Williams who should have been on the horse. He did a great job in preparation for the horse and he has been a gentleman. I want to thank all the people we have met here who have helped us."

Dunaden is owned by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani under his Pearl Bloodstock banner.

He said: "It's a dream come true. I'm fortunate to have had a runner in the race."

An emotional Lemaire added: "It's a great moment for me. This will be one of the great moments of my career. I hope to come back year after year. I know it was hard for Craig Williams but it's part of a jockeys' life and I know he will win the race one day."


Ed Dunlop was understandably disappointed after Red Cadeaux was edged out in a photo.

However, the trainer is already thinking about a return trip in 2012 with the five-year-old.

The handler said: "I thought beforehand that he wouldn't like the ground but that was a fantastic run. I was watching it with Luca Cumani and he thought I'd got it on the nod but the best I thought we'd got would have been a dead heat."


He added: "He got a lovely run into the straight and the jockey has given him a great ride. We don't like to be second but I've come all the way down here for the first so you have to be delighted. If he's OK, we'll be back next year."

Red Cadeaux lost out by a nose in the photo, the closest verdict in 151 runnings of the race.


Cumani saddled two in the race with Manighar claiming fifth place while Drunken Sailor was 12th, but the Newmarket handler was left ruing his luck after his other possible Bauer was balloted out of the race at the final declaration stage.


The trainer said: "We'll just have to come back again next year. If Bauer had been in the field, he would have been close. Manighar galloped all the way to the line but Drunken Sailor didn't seem to get home and this isn't the right trip for him."


Saeed Bin Suroor also fielded two in the race with Lost In The Moment finishing sixth and Modun a lacklustre last of the 23 runners.

He said: "Lost In The Moment ran well for a second I thought he might be getting there but it didn't quite happen. I'm disappointed with Modun. He was too keen and didn't stay the trip."


Mark Johnston's Fox Hunt was seventh with his other runner Jukebox Jury finishing 20th. Brian Ellison was another trainer to be double-handed but Moyenne Corniche and Saptapadi could muster no better than 15th and 16th respectively.