Vauban victorious in Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup

Willie Mullins made yet another visit to York’s winners enclosure on Friday as admirable dual-purpose performer Vauban proved too good for his rivals in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup.

In a slowly run edition of the valuable staying division contest, James Doyle was keen to lead on Queen’s Vase winner Gregory, controlling the pace throughout the majority of the two mile journey.

As a result of the steady gallop, most of the field remained on the bridle upon turning into the home straight and having sat towards the rear of the field, William Buick began to make his move aboard the sweet-travelling Vauban.

Given the success that Aidan O’ Brien and the Ballydoyle team have enjoyed throughout the week and in the 2024 QIPCO British Champions Series more generally, Point Lonsdale was sent off a strong favourite stepping up in trip, a potential catalyst for improvement according to connections.

Coolmore’s consistent colt was uncharacteristically swift to throw in the towel however, failing to respond to the ever increasing urgings of Ryan Moore and ultimately fading to finish out of the frame.

All the while, the eye was drawn to Willie Mullins’ likeable son of Galiway, with Buick and Rich Ricci’s gelding looming towards the outside of the field and looking the most considerable threat to long-time leader Gregory who eventually finished a well-beaten third.

Having shown a blistering turn of pace to draw clear from the rest of his toiling rivals, Vauban began to idle as Al Nayyir charged under the Luke Morris drive, doing just about enough to remain on top by a diminishing short head at the winning post.

A career best performance from Vauban was almost matched by Tom Clover’s runner up and both horses have been provisionally entered in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.

This was a vastly improved performance from the winner and jockey William Buick was noticeably impressed with the former Cheltenham Festival victor, describing Vauban as “an incredibly classy horse” and affirming that “two miles on the flat would be his optimum trip, he just got there travelling so easily”.

Colourful owner Rich Ricci, no stranger to success at the very highest level, was blown away by his staying star and told ITV that “he (Vauban) was very good today, ready to rock”, adding that “Willie (Mullins) called me before the race and he rarely does that so I knew he must have been working well”