09/09/10 08:03 BST
  Bet Now Meetings Free Bet Doncaster St Leger Ayr GC Radio Video
 
RACING NEWS
Picture Frizzante collars Ashdown Express. (Getty Images)

FRIZZANTE POWERS TO JULY CUP GLORY Click here for full result
Click here for Newmarket settlers page

James Fanshawe and Johnny Murtagh capped a memorable few days when Frizzante flew home in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Thursday to give them their second Group One success of the week.

The recently-formed partnership upset the apple cart on Tuesday when Soviet Song turned over Attraction in the Falmouth Stakes.

And the pair threw up another surprise with the 14-1 winner of the July meeting showpiece.

Frizzante, trained locally at Fanshawe's Pegasus Stables, saw off 19 rivals who travelled the world for the six-furlong contest, with Australian hope Exceed and Excel being sent off the 4-1 favourite.

However, the market leader never looked like getting dangerous during the closing stages and it was left to 100-1 shot Ashdown Express, Balmont (25-1) and Hong Kong-raider Cape Of Good Hope (20-1) to fill the places.

Exceed and Excel was smartly away from his draw in stall three and was soon joined at the head of affairs by Patavellian and Japanese raider Seeking The Dia.

Irish challenger Antonius Pius was under pressure by halfway and as the leaders started to crumble, Balmont looked the be the biggest danger.

But it was Murtagh who stole the show, quickening from some way off the pace to get Frizzante home by a neck.

As horse and jockey were led back into the winner's enclosure, the sun appropriately broke through the blackened sky and Fanshawe beamed: "When you are having a lucky spell things just click into place.

"This has just been fantastic. I think you grow more attached to fillies and she has been unlucky.

"She was fourth to Patavellian in the Stewards' Cup last year when she was drawn on the wrong side and flew home. Jamie (Spencer) said then she really was top class and would go right to the top, and she has proved him correct.

"I have always been allowed to take my time with her. She didn't run as a two-year-old but won first time at three.

"This time last year she was rated about 80 in handicaps, but she has improved and improved and is as tough as nails."

Frizzante was sent off favourite for the King's Stand at Royal Ascot, but suffered trouble in running and had to settle for third place behind The Tatling.

After the opening race on Thursday, it looked as though circumstance would again be against her as it was those drawn low who dominated the finish.

"We were drawn high (18) and I thought our chance had gone after the first," commented Fanshawe. "But we studied the Bunbury Cup quite closely and saw that there were one or two who did quite well up the middle, so Johnny said he'd go that way and it has worked out."

Plans for the five-year-old are fluid and her handler added: "We could go back to five furlongs at York (for the Nunthorpe), but I think she prefers six so we could go for the Haydock race (Sprint Cup)."

A delighted Murtagh, who had not ridden a winner on the July course until Tuesday, added: "I got a lead from Mick Kinane and he brought me to the furlong and a half. When I pulled her out she picked up well and is a good winner as she kept going right though the last half furlong.

"She has been running on fast ground over five furlongs which has probably been a bit too quick for her. But here it worked out well. I think she is a six-furlong filly and the rain which came last night did help."

Ashdown Express looked like proving a shock winner until being collared by the victorious in the shadow of the post.

Her trainer Chris Wall said: "He's run a great race and I thought he was going to win it. I know I'm biased but the starting price was a bit of an insult. He has beaten many of the horses who were at shorter odds and, on his form behind Frizzante in the Abernant on the Rowley Mile in the spring, he had to be thereabouts.

"He is a horse who has to have everything go for him but, when the cards fall his way, he is a decent sprinter.

"He was in good form today, I don't think he has been quite been able to really show what he could do earlier on in the season.

"We will now probably have a look at the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (August 8)."

Balmont was having his first start of the season for Jeremy Noseda and was only beaten just over two lengths into third having been a doubtful runner earlier in the day, according to his trainer.

"That was a huge run considering he has been off for nine months and he was lame at 5.15 this morning," he said. "We found him cast in his box and it was touch and go until 11 o'clock whether he ran.

"He has such blinding speed that, while the Sprint Cup is the ideal race, I see no reason why five furlongs won't be a problem, so he'll go to York next month for the Nunthorpe."

Cape Of Good Hope has now made the frame on all three of his British starts and trainer David Oughton had no complaints.

"He ran a super race," he said. "It was not ideal coming over from the worst draw (20), but there are no excuses. I will take him back to Hong Kong and give him a break, aiming him at the International meeting in December."

Australian Kerrin McEvoy rode the disappointing favourite and, after only beating Moss Vale, home said: "He never felt comfortable and never travelled smoothly."

His trainer Tim Martin added: "It was either the ground of the fact we had to play catch up after his setback earlier in the year."

E-mail this article E-mail Article Print this article Print-Friendly Subscribe to sportinglife RSS feed Subscribe to RSS Feed
Digg this story post this story to del.icio.us - social bookmarking site Post to del.icio.us Facebook

Click here to send us your sporting feedback

  Latest Racing Stories
 MEEZNAH TO LAND PARK PRIZE
 LANIGAN HOPING FOR PARK PRIZE
 BASSETT LEADS SALES CHARGE
 ROSES READY TO BLOOM
 SWAN LEADS LEGENDS HOME
 BIRTHDAY PRESENTS FOR HANAGAN
 ONLY THE LEGENDS ARE THE WINNERS
 DONCASTER HOSTS CUP REMATCH
 ZEB SEEKING SUPER SIX
 STRAWBERRY TARGETING DAY IN THE SUN

----------------------------------------------------------------
Part of 365 Media Group

Sports News & Entertainment
Sporting Life | TEAMtalk | Sportal | Football365 | Cricket365
Golf365 | Fixtures365 | Extreme365 | Planet F1 | Planet Rugby | Sky Sports | Football365 ZA

Betting & Gaming
Betting Zone | WSOP |Sky Bet | Poker | Online Casino | Online Bingo | Oddschecker | Casino Checker | Poker Checker | Bingo Checker | Free Bets | Open Golf Betting

Mobile, Fun & Games
Free Online Games | Fantasy Football | Fantasy F1
----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2010 365 Media Group Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
Email Your Comments - Advertise With Us - About/Contact Us
Terms & Conditions - Privacy Notice - RSS


Free RUK Video Form!
The Latest Races!
Search By Date!
Search By Horse!
Racing Latest!
Today's ABC Guide!
Trainer Entries!
Jockey Bookings!
Ladbrokes St Leger
Trainer Quotes!
Racecard And Form!
Place Your Bets!
The Marksman
All The Latest Whispers For St Leger Week!
Richard Dunwoody
On Sir Peter O'Sullevan And His Latest Charity Drive
Naughton's Notebook
Peter Naughton Brings Us His Latest Eyecatchers!
Tipster Challenge!
Monthly Standings!
Thursday Previews
Today's Racing Tips Centre
Nick Robson Preview
Latest Naps Table
Placepot Selections
Today's Cards And Form
Bath Cards
Doncaster Cards
Epsom Downs Cards
Kempton Cards
More Racecards
Friday September 10
September 11
Sunday September 12
Monday September 13
Tuesday September 14
Wednesday Action
Swan's a Legend
Rest of Doncaster Review
Photo Gallery
Results In Full
Daily Briefings
Latest Going
Non-Runners
ABC Guide
Jockey/Trainer Stats
Today's Pointers
Flat Notebook
Horses To Follow!
Photo Galleries
St Leger Festival Day 1
Haydock Sprint Cup
Irish Champion Stakes
Ebor Festival Day Four
Ebor Festival Day Three
Ebor Festival Day Two
Ebor Festival Day One
Shergar Cup Day
Glorious Goodwood Day 5
Glorious Goodwood Day 4
Glorious Goodwood Day 3
Glorious Goodwood Day 2
Glorious Goodwood Day 1
Ascot King George
July Festival Day Three
July Festival Day Two
July Festival Day One
Coral-Eclipse Day
Royal Ascot Day 5
Royal Ascot Day 4
Royal Ascot Day 3
Royal Ascot Day 2
Royal Ascot Day 1
Epsom Derby Day
Epsom Oaks Day
Lingfield Trials Day
Chester Cup Day
2000 Guineas Day
Grand National Day
Cheltenham Festival Day 4
Cheltenham Festival Day 3
Cheltenham Festival Day 2
Cheltenham Festival Day 1
Racing UK - subscribe now