Unaccompanied in a real gritty show

Dermot Weld's ninth winner of the week (Pat Smullen on seven of them) was another to delight favourite backers as Unaccompanied 'ground' it out in the Guinness Race to the delight of those that lumped on from a reported 8/11 into 8/15.

There was a 'spanking' gallop here with Smullen content to bide his time well off the pace in fourth. Fleur De Nuit struck on approaching the straight and Unaccompanied was soon in pursuit.

The Danehill Dancer had to pull out all the stops and she got up in the final fifty yards to score by a length. It was seven lengths back to Justification in third.

Second favourite Military Bowl was a rare disappointment for the Tony Martin yard finishing last.

Weld commented: "She's a good game mare. She's a smashing hurdle mare as well.

"Pat had to be at his very best which he was. A horse of ours, Address Unknown, that went on to be a good horse in England this year (won the Chester Cup), struggled to beat Fleur De Nuit here two years back so we knew she was very good.

"The ground is extremely gluey and it's a long way up the hill. Pat blamed himself for getting beaten on Show Court (3rd in the previous race) but I didn't agree.

"Anyway Unaccompanied will go for more Listed and Group 3 events. She has the option of going back hurdling later."

Smullen himself reported: "If she wasn't as genuine as she is she wouldn't have won. She was all heart as it was a hard race to ride given how fast they went up front.

"It was a good performance to catch Fleur De Nuit who is a very good mare. I knew I couldn't let her get too much of a run on me." (TW & EM)