Gifted Master wins Stewards’ Cup in photo finish at Goodwood

Ridden by Jason Watson, the winner was trailing heading into the closing stages but got ahead on the line to win by a short head’s distance in a photo from the Declan Carroll-trained runner-up.

Justanotherbottle looked sure to give Ger O’Neill the most significant winner of his career when going strongly inside the final furlong but instead it was fellow apprentice Jason Watson who was celebrating after the judge’s verdict, which confirmed his 50th winner.

Gifted Master was the overall leader on stands’ side until Justanotherbottle took over matters two furlongs from home. But Watson’s decision to switch to the right entering final furlong was to prove decisive as hi mount kept on well to lead in the final stride.

The Richard Fahey-trained Growl, ridden by Paul Hanagan, finished a creditable third a length and a half behind, while Solar Flair was a half-length back in fourth and pre-race favourite Foxtrot Lady finished sixth.

Speaking afterwards, Watson said, “I was not too sure but I held on at the end. He is as tough as old boots and I was a little worried we got beaten.

“It is a massive win to get. This time last year I was watching the race on television and never did I think I would be here riding in it.”

Trainer Hugo Palmer said the horse had “real class” and tipped it to be a “star” for his team.

He added: “It was a hell of a ride. He was very patient and he has a cool, calm head on him. He put his head down right on the line.”

Elsewhere on the final day’s card at Goodwood, trainer Charlie Appleby’s Cross Counter was a convincing winner in the Gordon Stakes.
Under jockey William Buick, the winner came in four lengths clear of race favourite Dee Ex Bee in second with Bombyx in third a further eight lengths back.

The day’s opener, the Stewards’ Sprint Handicap, was a closer affair and was won by the Jim Goldie-trained Tommy G.

Silvestre De Sousa was at the helm for the six furlong race contested by 19 runners and he guided his mount to a three-quarters of a length success over Oeil De Tigre in second and Related in third.

Goldie then made it a quick-fire in the next race, the Summer Handicap, as Sir Chauvelin came good to win by half a length. Robert Winston guided the winner to success here, ahead of Melting Dew in second and Hochfeld who trailed by nearly five lengths in third.