Endorsement gallops to wide-margin victory over Amadeus Mozart in King George V Cup
Endorsement and Ryan Moore win the King George V Cup at Leopardstown. Picture: Healy Racing Photo
As the betting suggested, the listed King George V Cup in Leopardstown proved to be a one-horse affair as ¼ favourite Endorsement made all for a wide-margin victory over stable-companion Amadeus Mozart.
Ryan Moore set a strong pace on the Wootton Bassett, last seen when finishing a close third behind Epsom Derby candidate James J Braddock and Pierre Bonnard in the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial on this track.
Her had his three rivals in trouble turning for home and stayed on powerfully in the rain-softened ground to triumph by seven lengths.
“He had never run beyond a mile and a quarter, wo we wanted to see how far he’d stay,” explained Aidan O’Brien.
"Ryan was very happy with him, He went along at a nice pace and stayed going well.
“We must now decide how far to run him over in Ascot – he could be a Queen’s Vase horse (a mile and six) or could go for the ‘King Edward’ (a mile and a half)."
The opening two-year-old fillies maiden looked a competitive affair, victory going to the Joseph O’Brien-trained Lope De Vega debutante Blonde Over Blue, ridden by stable-jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.
The 6/1 shot coped with the soft ground, holding the late surge of eye-catcher Alpha by three-quarters of a length.
“It looked a strong maiden and she’s a nice filly,” said the successful trainer.
“We didn’t expect her to win first time. But Dylan was in a lovely position all the way and gave her a lovely education. She picked up and found the line well.
“You’d have to be excited about her. She’ll either go for the Chesham (at Royal Ascot) or, more likely, we’ll give her time and come back here for the ‘Silver Flash’ later in the summer.”
Ger Lyons followed-up his big-race double at the Curragh on Wednesday with a spectacular 249/1 treble, sparked when newcomer My Girl Grace (Gary Carroll) challenged inside the final furlong to thwart Bang Bang (Colin Keane) in the median auction fillies maiden.
“She’s raw as hell and, while she wants further, this was a nice place to start over ten furlongs,” explained Lyons.
“The ground came in our favour and I loved everything she did. She’s my first Ghaiyyath, for a lucky owner (Austin Whelan). She’ll go a mile and a half the next day and I hope she’s better than a maiden.”
Lyons and Colin Keane teamed-up to take the BoyleSports ‘Hone Of The Early Payout’ 3-Y-0 Handicap with 5/2 favourite How’sthebai, who dictated the pace for comfortable win over Monvoe and Son Of Beauty.
“I love this horse – we’ve been very lucky with his sire (Bated Breath),” stated Lyons, “I knew we had found the right race – the only worry was the ground. His last race, in Naas, was full of winners. And he seems to be improving. We’ll do what we’re told by the handicapper.”
And Gary Carroll provided Glenburnie with the final leg of the treble, and a personal double, when producing Daler, in first-time cheekpieces, to wear down front-runner Molto Amichi in the Boyle Sports Best Odds Handicap.
The seven-furlong apprentice handicap produced a rousing tussle, with Dermot Weld’s top-weight Bella Isabella (Sam Coen) prevailing over Playin Cool by a nose, before surviving a Stewards Enquiry, earning a crack at the €100,000 Mallow Handicap later this month and, ultimately, an attempt to earn black type.
And, in the gathering gloom, the Paul Flynn-trained Only One Scobie (25/1) proved a shock and clear-cut winner of the finale, the Leopardstown Premier Lounge Handicap, a twelfth winner of the season for Luke McAteer.
