Clever Cookie and PJ McDonald hold off the surging Curbyourenthusiasm

 PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Clever Cookie refuses to crumble for Niven in Cup

Report: York, Friday

Betway Yorkshire Cup (Group 2) 1m6f, 4yo+

PETER NIVEN enjoyed his best day as a trainer as Clever Cookie put up a typically gritty performance to win the Betway Yorkshire Cup under PJ McDonald from Curbyourenthusiasm.

“It’s a massive feeling for me because horses like this to ride for me are few and far between,” said McDonald, who was standing in for the injured Daniel Tudhope. “It’s nice to show if I’m given the ammo I can get the job done.

“I was worried for the first half of the race we were going too slow, but he [Clever Cookie] was completely asleep. When he knuckled down he really got on with it.”

There was drama beforehand as Flying Officer was withdrawn after getting loose at the start. He had been the 6-4 favourite at the time. Second Step was subsequently sent off the 10-11 favourite, with Clever Cookie 5-2 in the re-formed market.

Steadily-run race

Flying Officer’s withdrawl, which came after he galloped loose into the straight and collided with a running rail, had messed with more than the market, as he had been the likely front-runner. It was left to Silvestre de Sousa to lead on Glaring and the pace was slack as a result.

De Sousa started to wind up the gallop turning in and Second Step, who had tracked him from the start, loomed up to take over inside the final three furlongs. He kept that lead until inside the last, when Clever Cookie drove past.

It briefly looked as though Curbyourenthusiasm would mount a challenge. He never quite looked like reeling in the winner, but did take the measure of the weakening Second Step late on.

An ex-hurdler, Clever Cookie prefers softer ground and a test of stamina. Niven said: “I was a bit worried when Flying Officer came out as that was the pace and I was worried the ground would be too quick.

“He’s overcome lots of obstacles and shown what he’s worth,” added the trainer, whose mother Joan bred the winner.

David Simcock said of runner-up Curbyourenthusiasm: “It didn’t quite happen for him in front soon enough. He was stepping up from handicap company, and he really wants two miles.

“He’s gooing to turn into a very nice horse and I expect the owners will want their day in the sun at Royal Ascot. He never disgraces himself, but he’s got to have top-of-the-ground.”

Luca Cumani, responsible for Second Step, said: “I had a doubt before and I don’t think he stays a mile and six. He looked the clear winner two out, but the last furlong or so was too far.”

With Flying Officer out the race had a substandard feel and bookies were not rushed into making huge cuts across the board for other Cup races. Having been a general 20-1 shot beforehand for Ascot’s Gold Cup, Clever Cookie is now 16-1 with several firms. He remains a standout 20-1 with Coral.

Cunco makes a winning debut for Robert Havlin and John Gosden

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Cunco emulates father Frankel with debut win

CUNCO, the first son of superstar Frankel to make the racecourse, got his career and that of his sire off to the perfect start with success over six furlongs at Newbury on Friday.

An easy-to-back 7-2 shot under Robert Havlin for champion trainer John Gosden, Cunco was green in the preliminaries and through the race, but finished strongly to pick off Isomer in the closing stages.

Havlin said afterwards: “He was a bit free but relaxed into the race and I couldn’t have been more pleased.

“He was where I wanted to be, but they didn’t go very fast and a few just got first run on me and he had a bit to do. He took a few strides to hit top gear, but I’d say he had a few more gears left.”

Referring to Cunco’s coltish behaviour beforehand, Havlin added: “There was no harm, no malice and he might need that tackle later on in life.

“He’ll definitely get seven furlongs and the way he relaxed you could see him getting a mile.”

Long-awaited

The success had been the best part of four years in the build-up, ever since headlines were made regarding ‘£100 million racehorse’ Frankel after his retirement from racing in 2012.

Cunco’s dam Chrysanthemum, a dual Group 3 winner, was one of the 133 mares whose owners stumped up the £125,000 covering fee for Frankel in his first year as a sire in 2013.

Neither Frankel nor Chrysanthemum ran over shorter than 7f and the short-term aim with Cunco could be the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot over that trip.

In light of his performance, he was made 6-1 favourite for the Chesham with Paddy Power. Betway went a step further, offering 33-1 about him emulating his sire and winning the 2,000 Guineas.

NEWBURY RESULTS

GOING: SOFT (Good to soft in places; 5.1) changing to GOOD TO SOFT (Soft in places) after Race 1 (1.30). Weather conditions: cloudy with sunny periods. 
STALLS: Centre

YORK RESULTS

GOING: GOOD TO FIRM (7.8). Weather conditions: grey cloud & cool. 
STALLS: R1 & 1m4f – Centre; R2 – Stands’ side; Remainder – Inside

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