Pyledriver stuns classy King George field at 20/1

It’s been a long road of ups and downs for Pyledriver but today was very much a highlight as he ran out a rampant winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes.

Last seen when second in the Dahlbury Coronation Cup at Epsom in June, he suprised most onlookers having been the outsider of the six-horse field at the off.

The race pace was a very strong one, with Westover and Broome taing each other on for much of the first two thirds of the race. Mishriff missed the jump at thet start from the stalls which largely put pay to his chances before the race had unfolded.

Rising out of Swinley Bottom the warning signs were there for both Westover and Broome as both jockeys began to push along rounding the final turn.

The slow in pace provided the perfect gateway for Torquator Tasso, Mishriff and Pyledriver to get involved in the race having been all held up from the start.

PJ McDonald sensed an opportunity and blined before his colleagues which was an inspired decision. Pyledriver still had plenty in the tank and began to stretch away from his rivals.

Westover, Broome and Emily Upjohn all drifted to the back of the field, but Pyledriver went from strength to strength, eventually winning by 2 3/4 lengths from Torquator Tasso.

IT was clear to see that the pace had been too strong through the race, but take nothing away from what was a momumental run from a horse some considered past his best. Pyledriver is far from it.