Avonbridge leads Charlton one-two in Abbaye
Roger Charlton crowned a magnificent weekend with an amazing one-two through Avonbridge and Striking Ambition in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp.
The Beckhampton trainer, who won the totesport Cambridgeshire with Blue Monday at Newmarket on Saturday, also had Patavellian finish a close fifth.
Striking Ambition looked set to score when taking over from Fire Up The Band, who had set a scorching pace, but Avonbridge (10-1) stormed home under Steve Drowne to land the £81,050 (€118,900) first prize by a short neck from his stable companion.
The David Nicholls-trained Fire Up The Band was third another length and a half away, followed by the slow-starting Chineur, Patavellian and The Tatling.
The stewards inquired into possible interference between Avonbridge and Eisteddfod as the winner started his run, but after deliberating they allowed the result to stand.
Reflecting on his weekend, Charlton said: “It’s been the best, just fantastic, amazing and I’m just thrilled for the owners, the lads in the yard - it’s just great.
“Saddling first, second and fifth hasn’t sunk in yet. Before the race I just couldn’t dream they’d be first and second.
“Avonbridge has been so fantastically consistent.
“He is normally handy all the way, but he was last or second last and he and Patavellian were coming through the pack together and it was just a question of whether they’d get there.
“Out of the three I thought Avonbridge was the one who deserved to win. He was my choice and I told Steve Drowne he ought to ride him because he knows him best.
“We were desperately trying to win a Group One with him and today it has all come right.
“I’m thrilled with Patavellian, he’s run a fantastic race. He won it two years ago and last year he was disappointing. But I’m very proud of the horses.
“Hopefully we’ll find a nice place at stud for Avonbridge after that. I would imagine Striking Ambition would keep going, but we’ll see. Patavellian is a gelding and will keep going, he has no choice.”
Drowne, who also rode Blue Monday, added: “They’ve gone very quick, but the horses in front started to stop and he’s a strong finisher and he’s got home.”
Nicholls, renowned as the ’sprint king’, was delighted with Fire Up The Band’s effort.
He said: “He’s run a blinder. They’ve done 56.9 seconds and that is very quick – no wonder he won the Dash at Epsom this summer.
“The people who own him have been coming here for years and today they’ve had a day they’ll never forget.
“He might go to Dubai as he has pace to burn, although I’m not sure about that yet. Whatever happens he’ll back next year.”
