Memphisto lands Ebor Thriller
Wednesday, 18 August 2004 15:44Luca Cumani won his second Ebor Handicap at York on Wednesday when Mephisto (6/1) just prevailed in a tight finish.
The winner, with Darryll Holland on board, just held the renewed effort of Gold Ring, while also surviving a stewards enquiry before finally being declared victorious.
Gold Ring was returned at 12/1, with Mikado third at 9/1 and
Defining a 16/1 shot in fourth place.
Royal Cavalier set a sensible gallop in the rain-softened conditions with Gold Ring, Top Seed and Star Member close up.
Gold Ring set sail for home under Steve Carson three furlongs out but the challenges came in thick and fast in the shape of Fantastic Love, Defining and Self Defense.
Toby Balding's charge shrugged off those rivals and then Mephisto appeared on the outside in the last 100 yards.
Mephisto took a narrow advantage but veered towards Gold Ring, who was battling back.
There was only a short head between the pair, with Mikado two and a half lengths away.
Afterwards, the winning jockey added: "To be honest, I thought I was second, because he started to hang into the other horse, but the ground was very bad and he was getting tired.
"He was quite keen all the way, which helped me because it was very tight, but he really stuck his head out.
"Fair credit to the trainer (Luca Cumani), he's prepared him nicely for this race."
Filed by James McMahon
