Alenquer lands Tattersalls Gold Cup for Haggas

Alenquer sealed his first Group One success when collaring front-running High Definition in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over an extended mile and a quarter.

Ryan Moore pushed High Definition along from the gates to lead and the pair had a healthy three-length advantage approaching the halfway stage.

Moore set his mount alight turning for home and High Definition toughed it out off the front.

Alenquer improved from fourth to chase High Definition in the final quarter of a mile and kept cutting into the deficit in the final furlong. He got him close home and prevailed by a neck at 7/2.

Runner-up High Definition went down fighting at 20/1 and was a neck in front of staying-on State Of Rest (2/1 joint favourite).

Jockey Tom Marquand said: "Buzzing! That's my first ride in Ireland and I didn't even know the way to the start an hour ago!

"This horse had a trip over to Dubai in the winter and he ran super over there and we had excuses. We always thought we would win a Group One over a mile and a half. Today being a mile and a quarter is hopefully a sign that there is better things to come from him.

"He's hardy and that was a great performance. He really had to dig deep there and it is a stiff last furlong.

"To be honest, I was always really happy. As playful as he might be, he really digs deep when he has to.

"It is wonderful for William Haggas and the team at home because he is not the easiest."

The trainer's wife, Maureen Haggas, said: "“He’s a very tough horse and he deserved to win a Group One.

“He was ridden beautifully by Tom. We were late arriving and he said please don’t make me go down first as I don’t know how to get to the start!

“He knows him really well and the horse is as hard as nails. The more you ask the more he gives.

“He’s always been a nice horse but he keeps surprising us a bit. I think ground is important and it is on the slow side here.

“He won over a mile and a half at Ascot last year but his top class form is over a mile and a quarter.

“I thought he had a hard enough race today but looking at him there is not a bother on him.”

Paddy Power cut Alenquer from 14/1 to 6/1 for the Prince of Wales' Stakes. Additional reporting by Alan Magee