Ben Linfoot unpicks the John Smith's Cup result and says the winner Sinjaari was value for more than the length winning distance while picking out Tinandali as the big eyecatcher.
The 61st running of the John Smith’s Cup and a great turn out considering the prizemoney had taken a hit in this Covid-19 affected season, the usual £200,000 pot shrunk down to £60,000 with £37,500 going to the winner.
With 14 horses rated 100 or over, though, this had the look of an up-to-scratch renewal and there was to be a familiar name on the roll of honour as William Haggas landed his third John Smith’s Cup with SINJAARI, following on from Green Destiny in 2011 and Danchai in 2013.
Unlucky not to add to his maiden success last season, he bumped into Headman in the London Gold Cup and was unfortunate at Glorious Goodwood, where he found a little trouble in the run and his rider dropped his reins, but that lack of a handicap win meant he started this campaign off a rating of 95.
Gelded in the winter, as well, Haggas clearly targeted him at this contest from a long way out and he was a deeply impressive winner, especially as things hardly went plain sailing during the race.
He broke well enough under Stevie Donohoe but he was nudged along to hold his position early on and then he got shuffled back towards the rear early in the straight.
With the field fanned right across the track Donohoe opted to pull his horse towards the stands’ side and, between three out and two out, the winner had plenty to do and was waiting for a gap.
Anythingtoday went forward and created one for him with Sinjaari splitting that horse and Fifth Position, and he really motored home once in space to deny Certain Lad. The winning margin was a length, but, given how things panned out, he was value for more.
He’ll be going up plenty for this to a mark in the 100s, but he’s got plenty of options in heritage handicaps like this over both 10 and 12 furlongs, so he’ll have opportunities to add to his winning tally despite the inevitable rise.
Certain Lad ran a fantastic race in second for Mick Channon and 7lb claimer George Bass, belying a starting price of 66/1.
The son of Clodovil was held up from his wide draw but he relished the big field and solid gallop and he travelled into the contest beautifully.
He made rapid strides with three furlongs to go and went from near last, from that point, to first just inside the furlong marker and his young jockey must’ve thought he’d landed a big Saturday success.
Only a flying Sinjaari, racing away from him on the stands’ side, denied him and he pulled three lengths clear of the third, Fifth Position, who had raced down the centre of the track, as well, like the second.
He’ll be going up a few pounds for this, but he too has the option of going up to a mile and a half (he is a close relation to Brandon Castle and is related to more stayers).
Fifth Position did best of those to race up with the pace. While the first two home came from the rear Roger Varian’s charge raced in seventh throughout just off the leaders and he looked well positioned three furlongs from home.
It took him a while to master the front-running Euchan Glen, though, and by that time the front two had gone clear, but he was a length-and-three-quarters ahead of the fourth and is clearly holding his form well.
Dark Jedi has been revitalised by the switch to Tim Easterby’s and he ran a similar race to Fifth Position from the other end of the handicap.
He broke well from his low draw and raced just off the pace in sixth, while he was also in a good position when the race developed three furlongs from home.
At that stage it did look as though he might be swamped by the closers, but it is to his credit that he kept going to secure fourth.
He’ll have easier races than this to go at from a mark in the low 90s.
Tinandali was short of room at a crucial stage and can be marked up.
Held up from his wide draw by Danny Tudhope, he raced widest of all in the rear and was stone last with half a mile to go.
Like the winner, he drifted towards the stands side to make his challenge, but, unlike the winner, the gap didn’t open at the crucial time as he was held in by Harrovian and Rise Hall.
When switched to the centre of the track he finished his race really nicely for a never-nearer fifth and he won’t go up too much for this, if at all.
That’ll make him of interest next time out and he’s related to mile-and-a-half horses so stepping up further in trip could see him find more improvement.
David O’Meara can place him to advantage.
Euchen Glen won the battle of the previous winners with a good effort from the front under Paul Mulrennan and he was only headed inside the final furlong.
Last year’s winner Pivoine could only manage 18th after being too fresh and keen this time.
Desert Icon ran well in seventh off a 9lb higher mark than his Newmarket win. The easing of the ground to good went against him as he loves it rattling fast.
Caradoc was sent off the 11/2 joint-favourite but was a bit too keen early on and didn’t finish his race off. He needs everything to drop his way but it was a tad disappointing that he couldn’t improve from his Epsom reappearance.
Solid Stone went backwards from his seasonal debut, too. This was his first run in a big field and he was given plenty to do, but he might appreciate dropping back to a mile.
Harrovian looked like making a strong challenge down the stands’ side two furlongs from home, but Frankie Dettori went easy on him once he knew the game was up.
He’s unexposed enough to still be of interest going forward but there are two things to note; this was the second time he’s disappointed at York and his very best runs have come on good to firm ground.
Great Example could never get into things from the rear and the same comments apply to Good Birthday.
Sky Defender worked hard to get a prominent pitch from his wide draw and was still there with a quarter of a mile to go, but he paid for his early exertions late on.
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