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George Boughey enjoyed Epsom Derby weekend success as the five-year-old Cadillac cut down his rivals to land the 1m2f Betfred Handicap this afternoon.
George Boughey enjoyed Epsom Derby weekend success as the five-year-old Cadillac cut down his rivals to land the 1m2f Betfred Handicap this afternoon.
The former Group 2 winner has only had three starts for new trainer George Boughey, who may have a Royal Ascot handicap on his mind following that impressive performance.
Jack Channon's Majestic looked set to throw down a stern challenge as he angled for room approaching the three-furlong marker, but it soon became clear he was struggling to get on terms with front-runner The City's Phantom. The 50/1 outsider briefly looked set to spring a surprise inside the final two furlongs, but George Boughey's Cadillac (12/1) had other ideas as he motored down the outside of the field under Kevin Stott for an easy one-and-three-quarter-length victory. Majestic (10/3) won the battle for the runner-up spot with The City's Phantom (50/1) back in third. Toshizou (9/1) stayed on nicely in the closing stages to take fourth.
Victory may have looked simple but trainer George Boughey admitted he wasn't happy in the early stages, saying: "Not really (happy), no. I thought we were a little bit too far back but I said to Kevin (Stott, jockey) just ride him for luck; he wasn't drawn perfectly and fast ground is key to him. I didn't want to run him on Guineas weekend but we were there.
"Back into a handicap for the first time I thought he'd run well, it was good, it was quite satisfying that!"
"He's a horse that when he came to me he used to wear blinkers and he's a very honest horse but I think left-handed is quite key to him, Sam Haggas - who obviously I work very closely with - would be a big advocate for that and at the furlong marker I got a text from him saying 'left-handed!' so well done to Sam.
"I'm delighted for Sheikh Abdullah (owner). He's a big supporter of the yard. His horse was beautifully prepared by Jessie (Harrington) and then to Kevin (Phillipart De Foy) and we're just lucky to be the recipient of him now and he's a fun horse. The Wolferton has always been the plan for him at Royal Ascot; that's right-handed but we'll certainly be going."
