Age drame as Blue conquers Cup

Course specialist Illustrious Blue (8-1) secured a popular win in the Artemis Goodwood Cup – but the race was marred when odds-on favourite Age Of Aquarius broke down in front.

Sent off the 4-6 market leader after his fine second in the Ascot Gold Cup, Johnny Murtagh had set out to make all of the running on the four-year-old when he lost his action half a mile out and was pulled up.

Aidan O’Brien’s stayer was subsequently taken to a veterinary centre in nearby Arundel for further observation.

Age Of Aquarius’ departure left the Clive Cox-trained Electrolyser clear at the head of affairs, but William Knight’s Illustrious Blue could be spotted moving ominously well through the field.

Jim Crowley had to get serious with the seven-year-old entire, but nothing was going to stop him claiming a seventh victory on the Sussex Downs.

Illustrious Blue eventually won the Group Two contest by a length and a quarter, with Purple Moon third.

Knight said: “It’s the third time he’s won at Glorious Goodwood and a different trip each time, so what a star. Jim gave him a lovely ride.

“I regrettably should have tried him over two miles last year, but we’ve had a fantastic run with him and he keeps on winning for us.

“Jim has put a lot of good work in on the horse – he knows him so well.

“It’s great teamwork from everyone at home because we’re a smallish yard.

“To have a horse like this to come along makes a big difference to everybody.”

Crowley added: “He settled lovely, and at the top of the hill he was travelling so nicely.

“He’s such a tough little horse and he’s a legend for me round here.

“He could even be a horse for the Melbourne Cup.”

Clive Cox said of Electrolyser, the 33-1 runner-up: “I’m really pleased because he has proved as good as I thought he was.

“There is more to come as he has not been scoping right and we’ve had to be patient to get him back.

“There are a few interesting races in France as well as over here to think about.”

Luca Cumani said of Purple Moon: “It’s another step in the right direction.

“Kieren (Fallon) said he had to switch him when the Ballydoyle horse came down but it is not a real excuse and, all being well, he’ll go for the Lonsdale (York, August 18).”