Hukum denies Desert Crown in tremendous Brigadier Gerard battle
Returning Derby hero foiled by also long-absent Coronation Cup winner.
Hukum overcame his own lengthy absence to deny last year’s Derby winner Desert Crown in the Racehorse Lotto Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown. Trained by Owen Burrows, Hukum is now six and his career looked over after he picked up what looked a career-ending injury in winning the Coronation Cup 12 months ago. The decision was taken to keep him in training and that now looks inspired, as Jim Crowley – who briefly looked boxed in – got Hukum flying late on to win by half a length in an enthralling battle up the Sandown hill. Desert Crown had been kept off the track by his own injury – for 355 days to Hukum’s 356 – after his famous Epsom success on what was just his third ever outing. Following his tried and tested route with his top-class older horses, Sir Michael Stoute was looking for a 12th win in the race and connections were happy going into the Group Three feature. Settled in fifth by Richard Kingscote as stablemate and pacemaker Solid Stone led at a steady gallop, he was set something of a test but breezed into the lead a furlong out only to be reeled in late on by the 5-1 winner. While Stoute will no doubt be left scratching his head his former assistant Burrows will be dreaming of a big summer. Betfair cut Hukum to 14-1 from 25s for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Desert Crown now the same price from 8s.Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Gregarina makes her mark in Athasi debut
Joseph O’Brien’s French import could be seen at Royal Ascot.
-
Stripes earns his Irish Guineas ticket
Tetrarch Stakes winner will be back at the Curragh later this month.
-
City Of Troy staying on Derby path, says O’Brien
‘That’s the pattern he was going and that’s the way he’ll go’.
-
Whistlejacket upholds family honour to secure Royal Ascot ticket
Little Big Bear’s brother impresses at the Curragh.
-
French Derby target for Guineas fourth Ghostwriter
Clive Cox-trained colt promises to improve again at 10 furlongs.
-
French trip planned to put Chorister on song for Gold Cup
David Menuisier wants one more outing for his charge before Royal Ascot.
-
Hannon keen to head to the Curragh with Guineas duo
Newmarket-placed Rosallion and Haatem on course for Irish equivalent next.
-
O’Brien so close to joining elite list as Porta Fortuna just denied
The 25-year-old won British Classics as a jockey and came within a whisker of first as a trainer.