Giavellotto dominated his rivals to make it back-to-back wins in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup.
Six runners went to post for the Group Two feature on day three of York's Dante Festival, with Tower Of London the to provide Aidan O’Brien with a first victory in the race following lucrative winter triumphs in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
The presence of the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban, a top-class hurdler turned quality Flat horse, added further Irish interest, but neither were able to lay a glove on Marco Botti’s defending champion.
Giavellotto, who had finished behind Tower Of London on both of his starts in the Middle East earlier in the year, was a 7-2 shot in the hands of Oisin Murphy, who cut a confident figure in the saddle when looming ominously alongside Vauban and William Buick as the race began in earnest.
The three-times champion jockey had a nonchalant look over his shoulder for non-existent dangers with a furlong still to run and with Tower Of London unable to pick up, Giavellotto put real daylight between himself and his rivals late on, passing the post with four and three-quarter lengths in hand.
Connections of Vauban will doubtless be satisfied with his performance on what was his first competitive outing since failing to fire in the Melbourne Cup in November, but Tower Of London was bitterly disappointing, finishing a well-beaten fifth under Ryan Moore.
Giavellotto bypassed Royal Ascot last year and he is not entered in the Gold Cup this term either, with Botti feeling the two-and-a-half-mile trip is too far for his charge.
So impressive! Giavellotto defends his @Boodles Yorkshire Cup crown in emphatic fashion under @oismurphy - what a brilliant staying performance 🏆 pic.twitter.com/krKKLsgnvM
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 17, 2024
He said: "He loves the track, fortunately, he always shows his best form at York. Earlier in the week I thought the ground might be a problem because we know he acts on fast ground best and the forecast didn’t look great, but we’ve been lucky with the rain.
"The race went to plan, he got into a nice rhythm and while he got to the front a little sooner than we wanted, he galloped all the way to the line.
"It’s good to be back and it’s a race that suits him, the track is perfect. We’ve tried several times over two miles and while I’m not saying he doesn’t stay, because he has run well a few times, but it does stretch him. The Gold Cup trip is too far for him.
"I’ll need to discuss with the owners but the plan was not to go to Ascot. The Irish St Leger I know is in September and the ground could be softer, but it was a race we considered last year and we didn’t go but I would say that could be his target. I doubt we’ll go to Ascot."
Charlie Appleby's Devoted Queen gave an insight into her ability with a neat victory in the Sky Bet Fillies’ Stakes.
The Kingman three-year-old, who is out of a good Group performer in Fintry, was unbeaten in two runs before taking this Listed step up.
A Newmarket maiden winner on debut and successful on the all-weather at Kempton subsequently, the dark bay was the 3-1 favourite to record her hat-trick under William Buick.
Fitted with a hood to help her settle, the headgear seemed to have the desired effect as she was slotted in midfield for much of the race.
After rounding the bend she began to progress and when asked to go on and win the race she was well able to do so, prevailing by two lengths and gaining quotes as short as 10-1 for the Coronation Stakes.
That's three wins from three starts for Devoted Queen who steps up in grade without any issues to take the @SkyBet Fillies' Stakes for @godolphin - how good could this filly turn out to be? pic.twitter.com/3ah8vrezyi
— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 17, 2024
"That was really nice, she’s really grown up and she was very professional," Alex Merriam, assistant trainer to Appleby.
"The hood definitely helped and Will said she’s really improved from her last run so she’s going the right way.
"I mentioned it [the Coronation Stakes] to Charlie and he said 'see what Will thinks’, Will said it’s definitely something to consider so we’ll see how she comes out of it.
"He also mentioned that she could do with a bit of juice in the ground so that might come into consideration as well, hopefully she’s given herself a few options.
"She’s doing everything the right way round, I think watching her there you’d stick to the mile for now."
John Gosden may have found a contender for the St James's Palace Stakes after Lead Artist bolted home by four and three-quarter lengths on the Knavesmire.
Lead Artist was beaten a nose by First Conquest when the pair made their debuts in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket in April, but in receipt of 6lb this time, he reversed that form with ease.
The three-year-old was battling with First Conquest for the lead with two furlongs remaining before he hit the front.
Lead Artist was closely followed by Dark Tornado and Under Siege, but he continued to stretch his advantage as he powered to the line and shed his maiden tag comfortably in the Darley EBF Novices Stakes, with Under Siege a distant second for Andrew Balding.
The Dubawi colt has an entry for the Group One contest at Royal Ascot and Gosden, who trains in partnership with his son Thady, did not rule out the option.
"We couldn’t run him last year but he’s come on from the Wood Ditton," he said. "Obviously the Wood Ditton winner was giving him weight today, but he’s pulled nicely clear in the last furlong, that was his most impressive.
"He’s a grand horse. I think a stiff mile is his game right now. He’s out of Obligate, a good Juddmonte family, but when you look at him he looks like a powerful Dubawi, so I wouldn’t want to stretch him out.
"I wouldn’t be keen on bringing him back to seven, but a stiff mile would be good. Something has to take on the Guineas winner and my, he was impressive.
"I’d watched him win at Kempton and he’s the most beautiful moulded horse, by the same sire. Someone has to finish second and third!"
