Muhaarar edges July Cup in thriller at Newmarket
Saturday 11 July 2015 17:09, UK
Muhaarar snatched the Darley July Cup from Tropics in the final stride to land a pulsating renewal of the six-furlong Group One at Newmarket.
Fresh from his victory in the inaugural Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, Muhaarar (2-1 joint-favourite) was the first three-year-old to win this famous sprint since Dream Ahead in 2011.
It looked as though Tropics (25-1) was going to go one better than 12 months ago for trainer Dean Ivory when he led inside the final furlong, but Paul Hanagan conjured a late run out of Charlie Hills' young star to win by a nose.
Eastern Impact (50-1) was a length and a half away in third.
Hanagan said: "This is what's it all about. The whole team works hard, I'm delighted.
"He didn't really handle the track and the dip and I could only really move on him when he hit the rising ground.
"I always just thought he was going to get there."
Hills said: "It was the track I was worried about more than anything. He didn't come down the hill too good, but he's a real fighter and he galloped right to the line.
"We'll put him back on a nice level track now. He's in the Maurice de Gheest and the Haydock Sprint and there's Ascot at the end of the year.
"I think seven furlongs is no problem, either. He's just a very good horse."
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Image: And Muhaarar edges out the gallant and unfortunate Tropics -
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Ivory was proud of Tropics' performance. He said: "He travelled so strongly, but it wasn't the ideal ground for him.
"After Royal Ascot he was jarred up, so I wasn't expecting too much, but when I saddled him up I knew he was in great form.
"I thought then he would take all the beating and he was just unlucky. We'll keep going with him and hopefully get that Group One on the board."
Ivory went on: "The last few strides felt like 10 minutes. I thought he had won it, but I can't complain at all. To me, it is as good as a winner. It was not perfect ground today, but he had more about him than he did at Ascot.
"I believe he is a Group One horse and when he is right he gives 110 per cent. He is entered in the Stewards Cup, but he does not like a lot of runners. The next step will be the Listed race he has won in the last two seasons back here because he receives no penalty.
"We will have to seriously think about going over the Breeders' Cup after that, as there are not too many times you get invited over to race there."
Sprint stalwart Sole Power was fourth for Eddie Lynam, who said: "It was a really good race. He has been a great horse for us. He's like the son I've never had."
Owner David Power added: "We are looking forward to the Nunthorpe, but I think he will be up against Acapulco. Hopefully we will have double-figure odds."
