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2 May 2018

Torcedor powers to victory in Sagaro Stakes

Torcedor, with O’Donoghue, left, and winning owner Karen Ellis after his win win in the Sagaro Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Torcedor again looks like being a regular in QIPCO British Champions Series races at Ascot this season after his emphatic all-the-way win in the Longines Sagaro Stakes at the Berkshire track on Wednesday.

Fifth in the Gold Cup last year and second to Order Of St George in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day, Jessica Harrington’s stayer obviously likes the terrain at Ascot and never looked like being headed under Colm O’Donoghue.

O’Donoghue was positive on the six-year-old, setting a steady pace before kicking on a long way from home. He had five lengths in hand of Time To Study, with Doncaster Cup winner Desert Skyline a creditable third on his comeback under a penalty.

Harrington’s travelling head lad Niall Amond said: “It was a very impressive run. He is back to the form he showed last year in the Gold Cup and on Champions Day as well.

“Colm said he travelled great all the way. He said he quickened twice really and when he went for him he just powered away.”

Torcedor weas cut to 10-1 for the Gold Cup but some bookmakers and when asked if the 2m4f showpiece would be on Torcedor’s agenda, Almond said: “I’d imagine so, that’s the normal route to take – come back here for that and then back for Champions Day as well, I’m assuming.”

O’Donoghue said of the 9-4 favourite: “He was the class horse in the race and if he was to run to three-quarters of his best he should have beaten them today. He had the class form coming into the race.

“It was just unfortunate what happened in Dubai [last time out], but you are learning all the time. You travel that far and they lose weight and they either recover or don’t, but he has come back in great shape.”

Later on the card, Invincible Army boosted his Commonwealth Cup claims with a fluent success in the Pavilion Stakes.