Mephisto lands thrilling Ebor

Mephisto got the better of Gold Ring in a thrilling finish to the totesport Ebor at York this afternoon – but then had to survive a stewards’ inquiry.

Luca Cumani’s charge just held the renewed effort of Gold Ring by a short head, but the pair bumped towards the end.

Darryll Holland kept the race on the 6-1 second favourite ahead of Gold Ring (12-1), Mikado (9-1) and Defining (16-1) in Europe’s richest handicap.

Royal Cavalier set a sensible gallop in the rain-softened conditions with Gold Ring, Top Seed and Star Member close up.

Gold Ring set sail for home under Steve Carson three furlongs out but the challenges came in thick and fast in the shape of Fantastic Love, Defining and Self Defense.

Toby Balding’s charge shrugged off those rivals and then Mephisto appeared on the outside in the last 100 yards.

Mephisto took a narrow advantage but veered towards Gold Ring, who was battling back.

There was only a short head between the pair at the line, with Mikado two and a half lengths away.

After the announcement that Mephisto had been allowed to keep the race, Holland said: “The horse drifted across considerably, but he was hanging with me from a long way down.

“It was difficult because he was out in the centre on his own and he has never run on that ground before. I did all I could to keep him straight, but it wasn’t enough.

“I took it off him, then he got back in front again, but I got him right on the line. I’m relieved, because the inquiry took so long.”

Cumani, before the inquiry, said: “He was rolling about a bit and pushed the other horse a little bit, but to what extent I’m not sure.”

Afterwards, the relieved trainer added: “I don’t think it’s his best ground because as we’ve seen, he’s won three races on top of the ground, so it’s all guts and determination that got him there today.”

Carson said: “It went very well really. I actually just passed Mephisto again, and he got me right on the line.

“He came across and bumped me, but it’s hard to know if it cost me the race.”

Jonathan Geake, Balding’s assistant trainer, added: “I don’t know if it made any difference. His whole family loves soft ground. He doesn’t have to have it, but it does help him. He stayed the trip out and he could go hurdling.”