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Sweet William broke through in Group company with an emphatic success in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup on Friday.

The gelding has suffered his share of problems over the years but started 2024 with a strong third at Ascot, before winning the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown Park. Numerous placings behind Kyprios in top class company followed, but the Doncaster Cup offered an ideal opportunity for Sweet William to break through.

Although the gelding took time to find his stride, jockey Rab Havlin was able to stay in touch with the leaders in the early stages before making a bid with three furlongs to run. He hit the front at the two furlong pole and raced clear, idling slightly when putting distance between him and the second placed Trueshan. Point Lonsdale ran well in the closing two furlongs to grab third. 

In an interview with ITV Racing, Havlin said: "He comes in and out of your hands and you've got to go when he comes good on you. If you wait till he spits it out again, it's an uphill struggle with him sometimes but he's shown a good turn of foot there and put the race to bed.

"People forget that he had that horrible injury and mentally, that's probably why he's been like he has in his career. He's always had a big one in him, the ability has always been there. I think they've found the key to him now and he seems to be enjoying life."

Paddy Power shortened Sweet William from 6/1 to 9/2 for the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.