Daiquiri keeps rivals at Bay in thrilling Ebor

The four-year-old has taken his game to another level since being gelded during the off-season

Jockey Rossa Ryan after riding Daiquiri Bay to victory in the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap during day four of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

Daiquiri Bay followed up Royal Ascot success with another lucrative victory the Sky Bet Ebor at York.

While the four-year-old has always been a smart handicapper for Alan King, he has taken his game to another level since being gelded during the off-season, with a comeback win at Newmarket followed by his narrow verdict in the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal meeting in June.

King had opted to keep his powder dry for the £500,000 feature of the Ebor Festival since and was rewarded in some style, with Rossa Ryan burying his mount in midfield for much of the one-mile-six-furlong journey before making his move shortly after the home turn.

Daiquiri Bay moved stylishly into contention and with the near side rail to help, dug deep in the closing stages to get the better of the Wathnan Racing-owned pair of Hopewell Rock and Opportunity in a thrilling three-way finish.