Cumani delighted with Ebor verdict

Luca Cumani left Portman Square a relieved man today, having won last month’s totesport Ebor “for the third time”.

Fellow trainer Toby Balding proved unsuccessful in his bid to overturn the decision of the York stewards not to award the prestigious handicap to his runner-up Gold Ring.

Balding lodged his protest with the Jockey Club after the Cumani-trained Mephisto veered left towards Gold Ring in the final furlong of the race, bumping his oppponent on the way to landing the prize by a short head.

A lengthy stewards’ inquiry followed on the day, but Mephisto was eventually confirmed the winner, with his rider Darryll Holland suspended for one day for careless riding.

Opinion was divided among racegoers as to whether the interference caused to the Steve Carson-ridden Gold Ring had cost Balding’s charge the race.