Ballydoyle duo continue fine form

Kieren Fallon and Aidan O’Brien continued in top form as they teamed up to take the John Smith’s Cup with favourite Mullins Bay at a packed York today.

The 4-1 market leader ran out a comfortable winner of the heritage handicap to give the Irish their first success in the race.

The son of Machiavellian came home three lengths clear of Crow Wood, with Realism a further neck away in third and James Caird fourth.

Zero Tolerance set a strong gallop with I’m So Lucky close behind and Realism and James Caird well-placed. Artistic Style, however, lost all chance by being slowly away.

With the field spread out and moving into the centre of the course in the straight, Mullins Bay’s high draw in stall 19 proved not to be a disadvantage.

Leading two furlongs out, Mullins Bay quickly put the race beyond doubt to complete a double for Fallon following the victory of Lost Soldier Three in the preceding race.

Fallon told Channel 4 Racing: “All you need is the horse and a little bit of luck, and I had both today. I didn’t have the draw, but I had the luck.

“The winner came from out there last year and I was pretty confident I had a good horse. I thought if I didn’t lose any ground on the outside I would be good enough to come home in front.

“The runner-up is a tough little horse and this was a good handicap. I knew my horse had improved since his run at the Royal meeting, and I think he might prove to be better than a handicapper.”