After a string of near misses in big handicaps that must have left his owners feeling cursed, Nakeeta finally got his head in front here on Saturday in the most valuable handicap in Europe. Callum Rodriguez, a 20-year-old apprentice rider, played his hand last of all on the six-year-old, who got up in the closing strides of the BetFred Ebor to beat Flymetothestars, the favourite, by a head.
So often it has been the other way around. Nakeeta was beaten a short-head in last season’s Chester Cup, finished second in the Lanark Silver Bell in 2015, second in the November Handicap at Leopardstown last October and in two more valuable races this summer.
It is the kind of record that can earn a horse a reputation as a thinker, but while Rodriguez concedes that the gelding needs to be delivered late, there was nothing wrong with the way Nakeeta stayed on for the line as Flymetothestars threatened a late rally. “We knew that the Ebor would suit him and that we’d get a good gallop to aim at,” Rodriguez said. “You don’t want to hit the front too soon on this horse and the plan worked out really well. I maybe did get there a bit soon in the end but when the other horse came to me he was always going to win.
“I was confident coming into today. I’d spent a lot of time with Mr [Iain] Jardine [Nakeeta’s trainer], studying form and going through his previous races. He’s always been very consistent and he’s been an unlucky loser a lot of times this year and last year.”
The Ebor is a handicap, but for owners and trainers who know that Group One races are beyond their reach, it is a huge and historic prize that can be the pinnacle of a career. Jardine, a former jump jockey, is carving out an impressive record on the Flat and over the sticks since taking out a licence in 2011 and will hope to build on this success to add more strength to his 70-horse string, based near Dumfries.
“Callum gave him a fantastic ride,” Jardine said. “We missed out on this race last year, but this year we got in and we claimed the 5lb off him and he’s done it nicely.
“You have to keep faith. This horse has missed out a few times, but he’s run some fantastic races against the best. He’s been a bit unlucky but now he’s had his big day.”
Sands Of Mali was a 14-1 chance for the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes but there was no hint of fluke about his two-and-three-quarter length success, which was recorded from the front and not in doubt at any stage of the final quarter‑mile.
“That’s brilliant,” Richard Fahey, the winner’s trainer, said. “I’ve been second in it three times I think, even with [subsequent Group One winner] Ribchester, so I’ve been desperate to tick it off my list.
“I know he was 14-1 but he didn’t know that, we’ve always really liked him. He’s in everything, like the [Group One] Middle Park and what have you. It looks a big shout entering these horses when they’ve only won a maiden but you have to do it.”
Sands Of Mali is quoted at 50-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas, and also at around 20-1 for the six-furlong Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June.
At Goodwood, Oisin Murphy swooped on Zonderland in the final stride to win the Group Two Celebration Mile for the second year running aboard Lightning Spear. The winner, who has run well several times at Group One level without winning, may now be aimed at the Group One Prix de la Forêt at Chantilly on Arc weekend.
Davy Russell received a caution rather than a riding ban on Saturday after being found to have struck his mount Kings Dolly before a race at Tramore last Saturday. The incident, when Russell appeared to punch the horse near a “show” hurdle, was the subject of much comment and criticism after it was widely broadcast on social media.
“It’s a relief that it’s over and done with and my family and myself can move on,” he said.
“It was an unfortunate incident that maybe got misinterpreted by the general public and that’s the way the stewards felt it happened also.
“Visually it doesn’t look good but there were a number of different things that were going through my head at the time, what I could have done to maybe bring the filly back under control, because at that stage she was out of control [and] I felt that if I had to continue in that vein, during the race I would have had a very difficult time trying to control her.
“I felt that I needed to do something to let her know that there was someone on her back, and just a slap to the soft of the neck, I felt, was the appropriate action.”
Greg Wood’s Sunday tips
Beverley 1.55 Tatlisu 2.30 Alfa McGuire 3.05 Rumshak 3.40 Royal Reserve 4.15 Lamloom 4.50 Dapper Man 5.25 Bollin Ted 5.55 Trinity Star
Yarmouth 2.20 Zorba The Greek 2.55 Foxtrot Lady 3.30 Holy Tiber 4.05 Another Eclipse 4.40 Brigliadoro 5.15 Sultan Baybars 5.50 Noble Masterpiece
Goodwood 2.10 Ibn Al Emarat 2.45 Iconic Belle 3.20 Anythingtoday (nap) 3.55 Believe It 4.30 Bless Him (nb) 5.05 Lady Bergamot 5.40 Fujin
