Gallant Caspar captures Gimcrack

Caspar Netscher gave Alan McCabe the biggest success of his training career when gaining just reward for his consistency with a hard-fought victory in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York.

McCabe, who has held a licence for five years, has campaigned his star two-year-old in major races at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, and finally hit the jackpot.

Robert Winston had Caspar Netscher (5-1) settled beautifully in the rear as Burwaaz took the field along before he grabbed.

Despite wandering to his left, he galloped on strongly to win by two and a quarter lengths from Lilbourne Lad, who pipped Burwaaz for second by a head.

Newark-based McCabe said: “That’s superb. It’s all credit to the team at home and to Charles Wentworth who is one of my biggest patrons.

“We’ll take him home and see how he is and he‘s got entries everywhere. We’re even thinking about the Breeders’ Cup, but that’s a long way off.

“He‘s physically and mentally still improving.”

Wentworth said: “He is in the Champagne Stakes (at Doncaster on September 10), so that’s an option and he’ll definitely get seven furlongs.

“This horse was bought for me as a birthday present from my wife, so it’s a dream come true.”

Green Destiny is proving an enigma for punters but made a triumphant return to the scene of his John Smith’s Cup triumph to take the Sky Bet Mobile Strensall Stakes.

Kieren Fallon brought the William Haggas-trained four-year-old through the pack to lead a furlong out and the 11-4 joint-favourite held the always-prominent Tazahum by a length and a quarter.

Explaining the reason for Green Destiny’s inconsistency, Haggas said: “Maybe going this way round is the only credible reason.

“It was a punt at Goodwood and he had a bad draw. This trip is too short for him as he really wants a mile and a quarter.

“He‘s taken the next step up, but now we‘ll have to take another one.

“Maybe the option could be the Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Arc weekend, but that‘s also the wrong way round.

“He‘s also entered in the Champion Stakes, but it‘s the same situation at Ascot. Mr Homaizi (owner) might also like to go to Dubai with him.”

Crackentorp (33-1) provided connections with great solace for missing out on the Betfred Ebor when winning the Racing UK On Sky Bet Mobile Stakes at York.

Trained in nearby Great Habton by Tim Easterby, the six-year-old gelding came out a head in front under David Allan following a lengthy scrap towards the far rail with runner-up Kiama Bay and Prompter.

Easterby said: “He was balloted out of the Ebor so this race was the obvious choice.

“He got murdered in the first furlong at Carlisle last time and I didn’t see him after that.

“He’s tough, he battles, and he loves it here.”

Rugged Cross (18-1) built on a promising debut fifth to land the Sky Bet Mobile Convivial Maiden Stakes for Henry Candy and Dane O’Neill.

Noted running on towards the end at Newbury first time out, the Cape Cross Colt knew a lot more on this occasion and ground down long-time leader Storming Bernard to score by two and a half lengths.

Shesastar sent favourite backers home happy when running out a comfortable winner of the EBF Paul Malone Half Century Stakes.

The 5-1 shot had a lot to do at halfway but Jamie Spencer brought her with a well-timed run to lead a furlong out and stride away to win from the Richard Fahey-trained pair of Sioux Rising and Jeannie Galloway.

Trainer David Barron said: “She’s very tough and very game but I’ve no plans for her just yet.

“I’ve known Jamie a long time and he’s always been very lucky for me.”