Workmanlike Dabadiyan sends punters home happy

Odds-on favourite Dabadiyan, Declan McDonogh’s only ride of the evening, completed his hat-trick and sent punters home happy when landing last night’s finale in Down Royal, Her Majesty’s Plate.

It was a workmanlike performance from the Zamindar colt which Michael Halford trains for the Aga Khan. Having tracked Royal Irish Hussar, McDonogh seized the initiative turning for home. The 4/6 favourite looked likely to stretch clear, but appeared to idle in front and had to be kept up to his work by McDonogh to beat Shu Lewis by three-quarters of a length with Sir Ector a close third.

Dabadiyan holds a number of big entries, including the Irish and English St. Legers and Halford commented: “He won well and only does enough. He’ll probably go to York for the Great Voltigeur now, before we decide about the St. Leger.”