Estrange was the standout performer at Haydock on John of Gaunt Stakes Day, winning the Group Three The Pinnacle Stakes in empathetic style at the Lancashire-based racecourse. That victory has now put the four-year-old in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe picture at Longchamp in October.
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David O’Meara’s runner was held up at the rear of the field by Daniel Tudhope in the 1m4f contest. Once she was asked to quicken, she stretched away from her rivals comfortably to score by just over four lengths.
Exciting Future Ahead for Group One Bound Filly
The Pinnacle Stakes winner is now 16/1 in the horse racing betting for the 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triumph, a race also run over 1m4f. As a filly, she would have a weight allowance against the opposite sex in the contest.
Sosie is the current 10/1 favourite for the premier race in Europe, with the bet calculator showing a £10 stake on the French-trained horse returns £100. Estrange is not far behind the proven Group One operator in the outright betting following her latest performance. She has now brought her record up to three wins from four starts.
Before she heads across to Paris, Estrange may run in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. That would be her first attempt at the highest level. She would take on some of the highest-rated fillies and mares in the UK and Ireland, including Kalpana and Lake Victoria.
Brilliant mare! Alpinista is amazing in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Sir Mark Prescott and @Luke_Morris88! @paris_longchamp #QPAT pic.twitter.com/moHLxIgtS3
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 2, 2022
O’Meara, who has conceded she is already the best filly he has ever trained, is also considering a return to Haydock for the Lancashire Oaks in July. Alpinista won that race in 2021, before her biggest career success in the Arc a year later.
Ten Bob Tony Denies Kinross from John of Gaunt Triumph
Kinross was just a head away from recording the 11th success of his career in the Group Three John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock. The former Group One winner left his challenge late and was unable to pass Ten Bob Tony when they crossed the finish line.
Connections of the Haydock winner had to go through a nervous wait following the race as there was a stewards’ enquiry. Fortunately for those involved with Ten Bob Tony, the stewards did not deem there to be any illegal interference between the winner and the runner-up in the closing stages.
The victory for Ed Walker’s runner was the most lucrative of his career so far. He was gelded last November, and this was his first start since having that procedure. His trainer will have been delighted with the way his horse battled to the finish line in the 7f contest at Haydock.
Ten Bob Tony has two entries at Royal Ascot, with the Queen Anne Stakes and Royal Hunt Cup on his radar. Both of those races take place over 1m, so he would be stepping up in distance if he lined up at the Royal meeting.
Haydock’s next major festival comes between the 3rd and 5th of July with the Old Newton Cup Meeting. The three-day event attracts some of the best horses in the sport, with lucrative prize money across each race day.
