Montaly pips Dartmouth in Lonsdale Cup thriller

Montaly, left, edges out Dartmouth, right, and St Michel in the Lonsdale Cup.Picture: Racingfotos.com

Montaly pipped Dartmouth by a nose in a thrilling finish to the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.

Andrew Balding’s charge, winner of the Chester Cup in May, scooped the spoils at 16-1 under an elated PJ McDonald in the two-mile contest.

Balding was absent, as he was en route to Goodwood. The trainer, able to savour another QIPCO British Champions Series success after the win of Here Comes When in the Qatar Sussex Stakes, had also been at an away track for Montaly’s Chester Cup success.

High Jinx set out to make it a real test, but he was tackled two furlongs from home by smooth-travelling Thomas Hobson, although there were plenty sitting in behind waiting to challenge.

The Queen’s Dartmouth soon made his bid for glory on his first attempt at the trip under Ryan Moore, while St Michel could be noted moving with menace from the rear. However, it was Montaly who produced a telling burst latest of all nearest the stands to claim the prize by just a nose in a photo.

St Michel was a further half a length back in third.

McDonald said: “I was just getting carried off away (right) in the last 100 yards, but I just put my head down. He was really tough, though. It’s great to be getting opportunities like this.”