Midday repeat thwarted

Cecil star edged out in repeat bid

Last updated: 6th November 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Midday was narrowly beaten into second as outsider Shared Account took the glory in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Churchill Downs.

Henry Cecil's star filly was sent off the hot favourite to defend her crown having been victorious at Santa Anita 12 months ago and everything appeared to be going well until the turn for home.

The four-year-old was slightly short of room under Tom Queally, but once the gap came, she quickened up smartly and looked the most likely winner.

However, Shared Account, ridden by Edgar Prado, proved too tough a nut to crack at the head of affairs and despite the best efforts by both Midday and her rider, Shared Account held on to score.

Cecil said: "She's run a great race, but I thought the track was just sharp enough for her and that she would have been happier over a mile and a half.

"It's been quite a long year for her and I wonder whether she quite had the zip coming into November, because the winner was holding her at the end.

"She'd had three tough races and may not be quite at her best. She could have done with a bit more time, in as much as another half a furlong."