Statuette leaves 'em standing

At 6/4 and 7/4 Ask Dad and Elusive In Paris dominated the market for the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race & Stay Handicap but in finishing third and fourth respectively they were firmly put in the shade by Marble Statuette and Robbie Colgan.

The American-bred grey, having her second outing for Tony Martin, was sent off a 14/1 chance here but you'd never have thought it given the style with which she arrived to deliver her challenge.

Colgan only had to ask his mount to assert inside the final furlong as she went on to see off Shabra Emperor by two lengths.

"She ran well the last day. We felt there was one in her and we were proved right. It worked out a treat.

"The owner (Glen Devlin) is in Argentina," said Martin.

The Stewards interviewed G.J. Phillips, rider of Stoichkhov concerning the fact that he appeared to move across before reaching the marker poles. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered evidence from the rider, the Stewards were of the opinion G.J. Phillips was in breach of Rule 211 (a) in that he failed to keep a straight line until he had passed the Marker Poles, and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.

(MG & EM)