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Sophia’s Starlight (7/1) landed the biggest success of her career when clinging on in determined fashion in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon this afternoon.
The progressive three-year-old has gone up 19lb since finishing third on her handicap debut at Carlisle back in May and arrived in good form following a solid second-place finish in a competitive contest at Goodwood.
As expected, the field split into two groups and there appeared to be little between them with two furlongs to run. However, as the runners entered the final furlong it soon became apparent those drawn low had an advantage on the far side.
Grant Tuer's filly was always towards the fore and showed a smart turn of foot to strike the front. Success looked as though it was in the bag with twenty yards to run but she had to display a willing attitude to fend off the late charge of Summerghand who set out next door to the eventual winner in stall seven. The likeable nine-year-old continued to close with every stride but couldn't quite reel in Sophia's Starlight, who held on gamely under Sam James to score by a head from the 9/2 favourite.
Wobwobwob fared best of those on the stands' side back in third with 50/1 chance Temple Bruer staying on well to finish fourth for Mike Murphy and Michael Keady.
Elsewhere on the card, the consolation William Hill Silver Trophy Handicap went the way of Roundhay Park (11/1). The Nigel Tinkler-trained runner ran on strongly to finish half a length in front of Impeller (12/1) with the 6/1 joint-favourite Strong Johnson back in third.
Sam James, who was standing in for regular rider Ollie Stammers who was unable to do the weight, said: "All credit to Grant and Nick, they took a chance running a three-year-old in this but she is improving,"
"I always felt like I was going to win easy, she was just looking for company late on and Danny (Tudhope) nearly caught me which quite annoyed me, but she was just lugging off the rail.
"She's improving all the time. She's Ollie's ride really, I'm sure he'll be back on her as he's done a great job."
James added: "I was confident the whole way, I always felt I had the far side beat, I was going a good gallop, but I was in my comfort zone the whole way while I was taking others out of theirs, which is impressive for a three-year-old against older horses.
"Nick likes to take his horses to France, and I would have thought they'll be looking for black type."
Bradley's racing manager Ian Hutchinson said: "She's in a seven-furlong handicap at York next week and we'll see how she is before deciding if she goes there or not."
