York Dante meeting: Hambleton double for Navajo Chief
Thursday 15 May 2014 15:52, UK
A review of the rest of the action from day two of York's Dante meeting, where Navajo Chief enhanced his course record.
Alan Jarvis saddled what could be one of his last winners when course specialist Navajo Chief (15/2) landed the Betfred Hambleton Stakes for a second time.
Jarvis is set to lose his licence after the British Horseracing Authority deemed him to be no longer being a fit and proper person due to a debt owed to Doncaster Bloodstock Sales.
Navajo Chief looked beaten after Fort Bastion hit the front but Kieren Fallon produced a power-packed ride to get back up and win by a short head to compensate somewhat for his Dante disappointment with True Story.
Jarvis said: "He loves it here and it was a great ride.
"I've had all the best jockeys ride for me down the years, Lester Piggott and the likes, but Kieren is the best in the world.
"He won't be my last runner. I've got a few over the next couple of days and then hopefully my son can take over. If he can't, then there's a life outside racing.
"I might write a book one day and that will be interesting."
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![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Enjoying a bottle of champagne before racing at York racecourse on May 15, 2014 in York, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Im]()
Image: Racegoers enjoy a bottle of champagne before the action on day two of York's Dante meeting -
![Graham Lee (white with yellow cap) wins The Betfred supports Jack Berry House Stakes during day two of the Dante Festival at York Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCIA]()
Image: Graham Lee delivers Monsieur Joe late in the piece to win the opening sprint handicap -
![Racegoers during day two of the Dante Festival at York Racecourse.]()
Image: A racegoer looks on from the stands on the Knavesmire -
![Racegoers during day two of the Dante Festival at York Racecourse.]()
Image: Some are taking things a little more seriously than others... -
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Image: Ambivalent won the Middleton Stakes under Andrea Atenzi, 12 months on from finishing second in the same race -
![Andrea Atzeni wins The Betfred £10 Million Scoope6 this Saturday Middleton Stakes on Ambivalent during day two of the Dante Festival at York Racecour]()
Image: Atzeni's mount responded willingly up the home straight to beat Secret Gesture -
![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Ryan Moore riding The Grey Gatsby (C) win The Betfred Dante Stakes from Arod and Jamie Spencer (R) at York racecourse on May 15, 20]()
Image: Ryan Moore riding The Grey Gatsby wins the Dante Stakes, with True Story third -
![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Ryan Moore riding The Grey Gatsby (L) win The Betfred Dante Stakes at York racecourse on May 15, 2014 in York, England. (Photo by]()
Image: The Grey Gatsby survived a stewards inquiry after veering across the track under pressure -
![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Kieren Fallon chats to the press at York racecourse on May 15, 2014 in York, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)]()
Image: Kieren Fallon chats to the press after True Story's run was seemingly blocked by The Grey Gatsby -
![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Ryan Moore celebrates after riding The Grey Gatsby to win The Betfred Dante Stakes at York racecourse on May 15, 2014 in York, Eng]()
Image: Winning jockey Ryan Moore celebrates after winning the Dante on Kevin Ryan's grey -
![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Kieren Fallon riding Navajo Chief (C, orange cap) win The Betfred Hambleton Stakes at York racecourse on May 15, 2014 in York, Eng]()
Image: Fallon was smiling again after guiding Navajo Chief to back-to-back victories in the Hambleton Stakes -
![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Ladies enjoy themselves at York racecourse on May 15, 2014 in York, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)]()
Image: Navajo Chief attracted late support and was a popular winner with the punters -
![Frankie Dettori during The Betfred Dante Stakes during day two of the Dante Festival at York Racecourse.]()
Image: Frankie Dettori was on target aboard Shamshon for the Richard Hannon stable -
![YORK, ENGLAND - MAY 15: William Twiston-Davies riding Bossy Guest (blue cap) win TheEBF Stallions Maiden Stakes at York racecourse on May 15, 2014 in York,]()
Image: William Twiston-Davies guided Bossy Guest (blue cap) home in front to win the maiden
Proud Yorkshireman Paul Midgley was delighted to get back in the York winner's enclosure as Monsieur Joe flashed home to claim the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Stakes in the hands of Graham Lee.
The seven-year-old has been a smart sprinter for a number of seasons for Robert Cowell and switched hands at the end of last season for 48,000 guineas.
Having run some good races in Dubai before running down the field in the Hever Sprint at Lingfield, Monsieur Joe was a 25/1 shot for his return on the Knavesmire and was produced to lead inside the last of five furlongs.
Elusivity was beaten a length into second, with Top Boy and 11/2 favourite Ashpan Sam finishing third and fourth respectively.
Midgley said: "Ask any trainer in Yorkshire and they love having winners at York. I don't think we've had one for two or three years.
"We didn't have this horse last year and we took him out to Dubai, where he ran some good races without winning a lot of money.
"I wondered whether he was still capable of winning a race like this at his age, but he's answered the question today. Graham gave him a peach of a ride.
"He'll go for the Dash at Epsom now. Before this I would have said Epsom wouldn't have suited him, but it's a pretty sharp five furlongs here.
"He wants a good gallop and you need the gaps to come. The gaps came beautifully for him and I'm absolutely chuffed."
