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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Al Kazeem delights Charlton in Gold Cup

Sun 24th May 2015, 15:55

Al Kazeem, second left, comes through to win at the CurraghAl Kazeem, second left, comes through to win at the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing

Al Kazeem won his second Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh for trainer Roger Charlton and jockey James Doyle.

The seven-year-old son of Dubawi hugged the rail in third as Postponed took the field along. The Grey Gatsby raced just off Postponed in second.

The race unfolded on the approach to the furlong pole as Al Kazeem was driven through a gap between Postponed and The Grey Gatsby.

The 3/1 shot picked up well once in the clear and strode home to win by a neck from Fascinating Rock who was doing all his beat work in the final furlong as he improved from fourth to second.

Roger Charlton said: "He's amazing, looks amazing, is brave and all you need in a good racehorse. I'm lucky to have one as good as that and to have him back from stud and I'd say it's my proudest moment.

"As long as he's enjoying himself he'll keep going, and one day I'm sure he'll go back to stud. Most older horses are a bit stiff and pottery but it's a great credit to his constitution that he never runs a bad race. He's never looked at another filly and just gets on with his work.

"He'll probably go next for either the Hardwicke or the Prince of Wales's, and as he's won a Group One here he'll probably go for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

"A horse like him is good for racing. Jumpers are around for a long time, and having him has to be good for racing."

The Grey Gatsby, the 11/10 favourite, could make no impression in the final 100 yards and dropped to fourth behind Postponed in third.

Al Kazeem's previous victory in this race came in 2013.

BoyleSports and Paddy Power go 7/1 from 14/1 on Al Kazeem for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. The Grey Gatsby was eased to 6/1 from 5/1 by Paddy Power.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.