Glen’s Diamond goes one better in the QIPCO Yorkshire Cup

The victorious connections with their prizes after Glen’s Diamond won the QIPCO Yorkshire Cup (from left to right: jockey Tony Hamilton, assistant trainer Robin O’Ryan and the victorious owners, the Claytons). Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Last year’s runner-up, Glen’s Diamond, started the rank outsider in the eight-runner QIPCO Yorkshire Cup field, but triumphed at odds of 25-1.

The Richard Fahey-trained five-year-old showed real grit and determination, making almost all the running and denying the late challenge of the favourite, Top Trip, by the minimum of margins – a nose – in the hands of Tony Hamilton, who rode the race to perfection.

Cavalryman, the original favourite for the first race in the Long Distance division of the QIPCO British Champions Series, was withdrawn due to the soft ground which did not suit most of those that ran, including the first two home.

They were three and a quarter lengths clear of the third horse, Royal Diamond, the winner of last year’s Irish St Leger.

With the victorious trainer at home with flu, his assistant, Robin O’Ryan, said: "That’s the best medication I’d say.

“He ran a great race last year but we were frightened of the ground today and we only ran him because it was York, I think.

"He relaxed in front and we left it all to Tony. He didn’t have a great experience in Dubai (last year) and he can be quite keen, but Tony gets the credit for getting him to relax in front."

Hamilton said: "He’s tough, he can be keen but Robin left it to me today and they said put your hands on his neck and see where he lands.

“We landed in front so I rode a race from the front.

"His form tailed off but he kept running on bad ground and we nearly pulled him out today because of the ground. I wasn’t sure if I’d won."

Owner Glen Clayton said: "I wanted a diamond ring but I got the horse instead. He’s been more fun than a diamond ring.

"I didn’t think he was going to win, I wasn’t confident at all, I thought the ground had gone against him."

Francois Doumen, trainer of the runner-up, Top Trip, said: "I’m never pleased (when I lose), especially when I’m beaten a couple of inches!

"He lost the race with the storm yesterday because that was not his ideal surface, but he’s proved he’s improved from last year.

"It was a big test today on ground he doesn’t like but I’m happy that we’ve got a good horse.

"He’s a bit lazy and he has to be pushed along, but he has a kick at the end."