Sprint King David Nicholls landed his third Stewards' Cup triumph with Evens and Odds at Goodwood on Saturday.
Cray gives Sprint King his third Stewards' Cup victory
Sprint King David Nicholls landed his third Stewards' Cup triumph with Evens and Odds at Goodwood on Saturday.
Nicholls' six-year-old went one better than his runner-up spot to Genki in last year's renewal of the notoriously difficult six furlong handicap, to score by a neck from Jonny Mudball.
Sent of at 20/1, the gelding, whose last win came in the Stan James Stakes at Newmarket in May last year, was given a positive ride up the centre of the track by apprentice Billy Cray.
The 22-year-old tracked Prime Exhibit but kept a keen eye on pacesetter Jonny Mudball, before making his move.
The latter, who is owned by footballer Jonathan Woodgate's family, had resisted all challengers inside the distance until Evens And Odds came past in full flight to edge him out of the top spot.
Disappointing
Prohibit was third and Rileyskeepingfaith fourth, while last year's winner Genki finished down the field, a disappointing 23rd.
"I've never had any doubts about Billy," Nicholls said of his 22-year-old jockey.
"He's always in the right place at the right time, and I'm so pleased for him, pleased for the yard and for the staff.
"I think we all want the type of horses that can win it and I've been very lucky to win it three times, while always having sprinters that can compete at the highest handicap level.
"I was sat next to Roger Charlton this morning and he's no fool. He'd put the equipment back on Genki and I thought if we could find a couple of lengths with him we'd have a great chance of winning it."
Cray, who started in racing straight from school at 16, said: "I jumped quickly and followed Prime Exhibit because I knew he was going to make it.
"I never thought about another horse coming from behind, I just kept going."
Thrilled
Jonny Mudball's trainer Tom Dascombe said: "The penalty killed him and the irritating thing is he will go up in the weights again for finishing second. He has run a great race though and the owner is happy.
"Our other horse Noverre To Go (fifth) also ran a blinder and the ground went against him."
Tottenham defender Woodgate added: "Tom has done a fantastic job with him as he was injured as a two-year-old and he has done a great job to get him back. My family are all pleased and I'm delighted - he's run a great race."
Greg Chung, assistant to Robert Cowell, said of Prohibit: "I am thrilled to bits with that and I know Robert will be too. He has done nothing wrong this year, bar not winning more than one race.
"That performance will give us a lot to think about for the future. He's had a lot of racing and might have a break now, but deserves to win a big handicap."
