Salamanca (14/1) made most of the running to bravely deny a fast-finishing Old Harrovian (6/4F) and Charlotte’s Web (10/1) in a thrilling finish to the BetUK Easter Classic.
Despite being handed a wide draw in stall 12, David Egan was able to angle over on Salamanca to establish a length and a half lead over Penzance and Glen Buck after the first furlong.
Salamanca increased the tempo in the straight and saw off the challenge of Penzance entering the final furlong, with BetMGM Winter Oaks winner Charlotte’s Web moving up to dispute the lead shortly after.
Old Harrovian flashed home from the rear, getting to within a neck of the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained winner at the line. Charlotte’s Web took third, a further short-head in arrears, as the front three finished clear of fourth home Paradias.
Chapple-Hyam said: “This has been a six-month plan for Salamanca. When you get a wide draw, your six months of planning looks like it is all down the gurgler, as I said to Mr Harris [owner] before the race!
“David has given him a beautiful ride. He clocked it properly in his head. We are thrilled that we have seen the horse we have always believed in.
“I am very grateful to Mr Harris, and very happy for him and all the team back at Abingdon Place. Everyone at home – Jonny Peate in particular, give a word for him, and Salvatori, who looks after him.”
Egan said: “It is great to get a winner for Jane and Mr Harris. They are big supporters of mine, besides Amo Racing, and it is nice to repay their faith with a big winner like that.
“Jane is a very good trainer for making a plan and having a long-term goal. She has a stable of lovely horses, and it is a privilege to ride for her when I can.
“Salamanca was quite fresh going down to the start and I did not see a whole lot of pace on so, when he jumped so well from a wide draw, I elected to go forward and sit and hold for the first couple of furlongs. I kept getting it easier and easier in front. I felt I went pretty sedate fractions for the first half of the race.
“When he was challenged in the straight, he was able to keep finding little by little and has hit the line strong. I ended up at the mile and a quarter start again, so he has done a good lap of honour!
“Salamanca is a horse with a lot of ability. He is very well bred, out of a very good filly. We have always thought a lot of him and he always worked really well in the early part of his career. It is nice to see him win a big one.”
Anna Lisa Balding said of Old Harrovian: “What a little star – he has run a hell of a race. He is a very difficult ride; you have to try to settle him and, because of where he was drawn [13], he had to sit right back, a long way off the pace. They have gone a good pace for the first two furlongs and then slowed it down, so got a bit keen and battled with Oisin, but he has flown home and I am sure he has a big one in him.”
Liam Wright, who rode the third, said: “Charlotte’s Web has run a blinder. She is a filly on the up and has improved a lot during the year. She just struggled to peg back a front-runner today, which is not normally how they win round here, but she is in fine fettle and ran a huge race.”
4.07pm BetUK Easter Classic
1 Salamanca (Peter Harris) Jane Chapple-Hyam 4-8-13 David Egan 14/1
2 Old Harrovian (Michael Blencowe) Andrew Balding 6-9-03 Oisin Murphy 6/4F
3 Charlotte’s Web (Rabbah Racing) Simon & Ed Crisford 4-9-05 Liam Wright (5) 10/1
14 ran
Jane Chapple-Hyam – 1st Finals Day winner
David Egan – 2nd Finals Day winner
