Ahzeemah lands Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup

Ahzeemah (right) just gets the better of Simenon in race four in the Long Distance division. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup promised to be a good race and it was just that, with a neck and neck battle over the last three furlongs between the Artemis Goodwood Cup runner-up, Ahzeemah, and the Gold Cup runner-up, Simenon.

They were the only two ever really involved in the two mile contest, with Simenon attempting to make all – he is usually held up in his Flat races, but the fear of no pace forced jockey Johnny Murtagh’s hand – and Ahzeemah tracking him all the way.

Ahzeemah, under a fine ride by Silvestre De Sousa, did not settle early on, but that did not matter at the business end.

The four-year-old is clearly improving and when he joined the Irish raider, Simenon, at the head of affairs three furlongs from home, a long battle ensued.

Ahzeemah just prevailed by a head, much to the delight of De Sousa.

"He’s been an amazing horse as he’s had a very tough campaign and been very busy," he said.

"He’s so genuine but he’s a bit laid-back so I needed to ask him to do his work.

"I knew the position I was in and when I asked him, he fought well."

Simon Crisford, representing the owners Godolphin, was also delighted by the win.

"He’s an incredible horse and we’re lucky to have him," he said.

"He just loves to win and is a credit to his sire Dubawi who has proven to be an amazing stallion.

"His progeny all want to win and this one is no exception. He produces horses of Classic material over all sorts of distances.

"Ahzeemah’s not overly big but I’ve never known a horse who wants to win so much.

"He could possibly head to the Gold Cup at Ascot next year but we might look at the Melbourne Cup or the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup before that."

The latter is the opening race on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 19 October, when another sensational day’s racing will be in store.