Ed Greatrex celebrated the biggest winner of his career after Tattycoram took her own form to new heights with an impressive success in the Betway Lancashire Oaks.
After looking a filly with plenty of potential last season when winning a novice contest at Sandown Park early in the campaign things failed to go right in four subsequent starts.
However, the Ralph Beckett-trained filly looked a different proposition when making a triumphant return in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Daisy Warwick Stakes at Goodwood.
Pitched into Group Two company for the first time here on the back of that win, the daughter of Camelot showed she belongs at that level when turning the £165,000 contest into a procession under Greatrex, who returned to riding in 2024 having quit the saddle in 2021.
Market leader Tiffany set the early fractions under Luke Morris in a bid to bring a four successive second place finishes to an end and score for the first time since landing a Group Two at Baden-Baden in August 2024.
It looked as though the 5/4 favourite was finally going to get that breakthrough with most of her rivals feeling the pinch in behind as the field entered the final two furlongs of the mile and a half test.
However, it was not to be as Tattycoram began to find her full stride hitting the rising ground before sweeping past Tiffany, who had no answers to her finishing kick, and going on to score by four lengths.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits
Greatrex said: “Being drawn widest of all I was conscious, and cautious, to where Tiffany went as she was the class horse of the race.
“I wanted to get a nice tow in of her. It worked out she was going to make the running, and we went a pretty solid gallop I thought.
“I was actually a little bit behind the bridle early, but because we were going fast I had no pressure from behind me to chase her along and I was able to give her time to get comfortable.
“I was mindful nothing quickened by me inside the three, and I got going a little bit earlier than I would have normally done. She has seen it out really well, but she is a really nice filly.”
Speaking from Newmarket Beckett added: "It was a good effort and she was a filly we finished early last year hoping she would develop from three to four.
"It looks like that is the case and she went into a little dip after winning the Daisy Warwick hence the two month break, but I was easy about that and this was always a race that would setup well for her. She's a good filly and we'll go straight to the Yorkshire Oaks I would imagine."
Following the race Tattycoram was cut from 50/1 into 25/1 for the Yorkshire Oaks by Paddy Power, which is likely to be next on her agenda.
And Greatrex feels she is worth her place in the line up following her latest success.
He added: “She is a very big girl and was only going to get better with age. She is by Camelot and they do well from three to four and she is the perfect example.
“The Yorkshire Oaks is another big step up, but what she has done from her Listed race at Goodwood to what she has done today she has only improved and her work in between has excited us as well.
“She is only getting better and more confident in what she is doing. She is one to look forward to for the future.”
And for Greatrex, who called time on his previous stint in the saddle due to back issues, he admitted he was thankful to both the support of the triumphant handler, and winning owners Chasemore Farm, for keeping faith with him in the saddle.
He added: “I’m really lucky to keep the ride. Everyone from Chasemore to Ralph have put a bit of faith in me with this filly so it is nice when it goes right and I can reward them slightly.
“It is my third year back, but I still feel like I’m getting to grips with everything. Ralph has been very patient with me and given me loads of chances and I’m delighted I can repay the favour.”
While it was not to be for Tiffany, her trainer Sir Mark Prescott, insisted that they will keep trying different things in a bid to try and help her secure a deserved change of luck.
Prescott said: “We both said the same thing that Mr Sangster’s filly (Miss Justice) was slightly further behind us today than she was in Chantilly, so the available form is that she has run to form.
“I suppose when you are six you are not coming forward anymore. She is still very good, but just not quite good enough.
“I think she would be better with a tiny bit of ease in the ground, but I don't put that as an excuse.
“We will have to be very broad brush and not afraid to get beaten if it gives us a better chance of winning. We have got to try a few different things.
“We tried in front today, which we hadn’t done before, but when they have got five seconds to their name they tend to get six.
“She has done lots of winning though and has been fantastic to them.”
More from Sporting Life
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Free bets
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
