Cumani team strike again

Francesca Cumani and her father Luca teamed up to good effect once again as Soulacroix lifted the Queen Mother’s Cup at York.

The combination took the prize 12 months ago with Idealistic and a well-timed run from Soulacroix saw them land the spoils.

Dunaskin tried to make all and it looked as though he might hold on at the furlong marker, but Miss Cumani took it up about 100 yards from home.

Soulacroix kept on well to run out a two-length winner from Thyolo who just pipped Dunaskin for second.

Miss Cumani, who was presented with her weight in champagne, said: “I completed my course at Bristol University last week so the bubbly will come in very useful for a big party – my flatmates will be thrilled.”

Her mother Sara has also ridden the winner of the race and she added: “I was going to ride Soulacroix and Francesca was going to partner Idealistic again.

“But we were keen to have some black type for her so we are going to run her in a Listed race at Warwick on Monday instead and we agreed that Francesca should switch to Soulacroix.”