Glen Rovers recorded a stunning 33-1 win in the Midnite All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap in Newcastle.
A competitive field was assembled, including Willie Mullins yarding Gaucher ridden by champion all-weather jockey Billy Loughnane, priced at £175,000.
He looked like he had everything to hit the front going into the final furlong, but Sean D Bowen, the 2024 champion apprentice, produced coolness personified before being challenged to win by half a length.
Trained by Lucy Wadham, better known for her jumper handling, Glen Rovers actually started life on the bumper. He gave passionate part-owner Conor Ryan, who works at Charlie Appleby’s, the best day of his life.
Ryan said: “We’ve had him for a few years and although he has been a bit difficult to train, Lucy and the home team have done a fantastic job with him.”
“The team in the yard have done a great job, it’s been a great team effort and he’s been back together a few times but Lucy has looked after him.
“He’s taken his time this season to get it to fruition, he’s had a few little issues but we’ve had to run him to keep him fit, but he came into this race today overpriced.
“We were confident he would run well, we knew he would be suitable for this trip and he had won here before.”
“This horse changed my life and my family’s life. Being involved with racehorses can impact you too.”
Bowen said: “He was very good. He is now 2 for 2 here. I was able to get cover on a wide draw and that made the difference.
“Lucy, Tim and Connor at home have done a fantastic job and I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity.
“He’s top heavy so it takes a few runs to get him into the swing.
“With just over three furlongs to go I had to take him back off the horse in front of me. At that point I thought we had a chance and we were always getting there.”
Tyrrhenian Sea Takes Revenge on Prime Minister
Tyrrhenian Sea has been a fixture on the all-weather scene for the past five years and showed his fire still burning brightly when he showed off his sparkling feet in the BetMGM All-Weather Championship Mile Handicap at Newcastle as an eight-year-old.
Since his winning debut at Gosforth Park in December 2021, a total of 17 of his 24 career races have been run on artificial surfaces for Roger Varian’s exceptionally standout eight-year-old.
He has won twice at Listed level and was second only to Chancellor in the Tandridge Stakes the last time he attempted to win back-to-back races. This time the one-off Classic hope of John and Thady Gosden went three pounds better and won by one and a quarter lengths from Blue Rc.
Jack Mitchell rode him more than any other jockey and said: “He has always held a special place in my heart throughout his career. As an eight-year-old against younger horses, I thought he should perform at his best today.
“I was traveling very well but I was trying to figure out how to draw a 14-year-old and I followed Rab (Havlin on Chancellor) and he followed really well.
The Tyrrhenian Sea was so nice from Gosforth Park.
“He stays further out so Roger and the team had a deep discussion about whether to run this race or the Easter Classic. This race looked more difficult but we had a great run and were three pounds better with Chancellor.
“His best form is in all-weather conditions, so if he is fit and healthy, he will come back next year and take on another challenge.”
best of the rest
Andrew Balding’s Stateira looked the banker of the card and established himself as an 11-8 favorite in the BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championship Handicap.
Balding, who had impressed with his win in the trial meeting 72 days ago, decided to take his time and wait for the £150,000 final, and it paid dividends.
Despite being 10 pounds higher, Oisin Murphy was confident and she looked well worth the challenge of the black race.
“She deserved to be the favorite, but I was a little worried that we would have to make plans because she usually likes to take things at her own pace,” Murphy said.
“I thought if I rode her like that today she would have done too much in the headwind, but I was pleased with how she settled in and she went to sleep and she deserved to win.
“The ones in front were slowing down before I could question her. She is very fit at the moment and when mares are in that space they can really improve.
“Andrew will think carefully about what to do next, but today was a good goal for her.”
In some of his best form, William Haggas’ Wiltshire looked handicapped in the Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap but was slowly trending away.
But he broke the conditions this time and the 7-1 chance moved smoothly into contention under Cieren Fallon, who went on to win from distance after catching up with Fivethousandtoone.
Maureen, Haggas’ wife and assistant, said: “He finally had to cheat and combined with the tongue tie he seemed happier. He’s always had the ability, we know it.
“He enjoys all weather and doesn’t want to run too fast when he’s on the grass. He needs that, it’s a good confidence booster.
“Cieren knows him well and rides great, which helped him jump much better today.
“He sounded like a pug in distress because his epiglottis was stuck!”
