Willie Mullins pair dominate in the Doncaster Cup

Thomas Hobson, left, and Max Dynamite have the Doncaster Cup between them. Picture: Steven Cargill/Racingfotos.com

Willie Mullins enjoyed a superb one-two as his staying stars Thomas Hobson and Max Dynamite, both owned by Rich Ricci, fought out the finish of the Doncaster Cup.

Thomas Hobson, who had finished runner-up to Desert Skyline in the 2017 renewal of the Group Two contest, went one better in the two-and-a-quarter-mile contest, which forms part of the Long Distance category of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The 2-1 favourite, ridden by Ryan Moore, was settled at the rear of the field for much of the journey but swept through to win in good style.

Max Dynamite, twice placed in the Melbourne Cup, was ridden a little more prominently by Andrea Atzeni and quickened to lead approaching the final two furlongs.

However, Moore covered the move aboard the strong-travelling Thomas Hobson and while his stablemate did not go down without a fight, the market leader always looked the stronger and won the battle by a cosy half a length.

The pair were seven lengths clear of Sheikhzayedroad in third.

Mullins was at Listowel, where he said: “We had thought both horses were working better at home than they had been running, so it’s great to see their homework coming out in them.

“I doubt they’ll run before the Melbourne Cup, but I haven’t spoken to Rich yet. I imagine that books their tickets there.

“Hurdling is not on either horses’ agenda at the moment and we’ll play their Flat cards while they are young eight-year-olds!”

David Simcock said of Sheikhzayedroad and also Algometer, who was fourth: “I was pleased, Algometer just lost a bit of momentum slightly.

“I’ve got a feeling he’ll be a nice two-miler, especially next year when we can set our stall out and start somewhere like the Sagaro.

“Sheikhzayedroad will probably have one more run, but he’ll be better for having that under his belt.”