DONCASTER FRIDAY

A TRULY magnificent Group 2 Doncaster Cup - the 250th - ended in victory for Sheikhzayedroad on Town Moor yesterday.

However, the seven-year-old had to give every last ounce to wear down and foil gallant front-runner Quest For More, who made just about every yard and came again when challenged to go down by only a nose. It was a wonderful finish.

Trained by David Simcock and ridden by Martin Harley, Sheikhzayedroad stayed just close enough to Quest For More to prevent George Baker from stealing the race. He moved alongside nearing the furlong marker, with St Michel the only other to put in a late challenge, but Quest For More picked up again and Harley’s celebration looked a mite premature. The photo showed that it was justified.

It was a fitting reward because the old horse had won at Meydan and been placed in both the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup.

“He’s been fantastic and he’s given us a lot of good days,” Simcock said with a smile. “He’s been all over the world and he’s just an old warrior. We don’t do much with him between races but we make sure we don’t race him too often - just five or six a year. He thoroughly enjoys it. He’s as slow as a hearse at home, by the way!”

Roger Charlton took agonising defeat with his customary good grace. He is not tempted by the Melbourne Cup this time and Ascot on Champions Day is preferred. The pair could meet again there, although Simcock also mentioned Canada. The crowd rose to both horses and there could hardly have been a better aperitif before the Ladbrokes St Leger.