All-weather stalwart Tyrrhenian Sea avenged his Finals Day defeat of four years ago as he flew home to take the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap.
The Flaxman Stables homebred was sent off an odds-on favourite for the 2022 Easter Classic, when it was run as a conditions race, but was collared close home to finish a half-length second to Living Legend.
Now eight, Tyrrhenian Sea (15/2) was returning to handicap company on the back of three good efforts in Listed company, including chasing home Chancellor in Southwell’s BetMGM Tandridge Stakes.
Jack Mitchell found plenty of cover on the Roger Varian-trained runner before weaving through the field entering the final furlong. Blue RC (9/2) and The Lost King (7/2) appeared set to fight out the finish, although Tyrrhenian Sea continued to flash home and picked off his younger rivals in the closing strides to win by a length and a quarter.
Blue RC just held on for second from The Lost King, with Dosman (18/1) taking third ahead of 3/1 favourite Chancellor.
Mitchell said: “That was amazing. Tyrrhenian Sea has always had a special place in my heart, all through his career. He was carrying a lot of weight and, being an eight-year-old against younger rivals, I thought he would have to be at his best.
“I was travelling so well and trying to find a way through, having been drawn 14. When they came over, at least I thought I could follow Rab through [on Chancellor], but Rab didn’t go through as quick as I needed him to. For my lad to get stopped and then get going again – it is credit to the horse.
“Roger, the team and I were toying with which race to go for, the Easter Classic or this. The Mile did look the tougher race, although we had a 3lb pull with Chancellor from Southwell and I thought we were unlucky not to be closer there. I think it paid dividends that we went a nice gallop today, which our horse could quicken off. I found the gaps and he showed a turn of foot. At the grand age of eight, he was electric.
“Tyrrhenian Sea’s best form on the all-weather is behind Group One winners. I am not sure what the plan will be but, as long as he stays fit and healthy, I would love to come back here and have another go.”
Varian’s assistant George Tregoning said: “Tyrrhenian Sea is a real stable star. We came here quite confident, as we knew the stiff mile would suit. He is very comfortable over eight to 10 furlongs in Pattern company. There was plenty of pace on early, he got the split, and job done. It is a pleasure to train another winner for the Niarchos family as well. Fantastic job by Roger and the team at home.”
Blue RC’s jockey Hector Crouch said: “He ran a fantastic race. The winner has done very well; my horse is still progressive, and on to the turf he goes.”
Anna Lisa Balding said of The Lost King: “He has run great. I think the winner has won really well. We are very pleased with our horse, but he was in front long enough. It is difficult with this headwind.”
3.00pm BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap
1 Tyrrhenian Sea (Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd) Roger Varian 8-9-09 Jack Mitchell 15/2
2 Blue RC (Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum) James Tate 4-9-02 Hector Crouch 9/2
3 The Lost King (King Power Racing Co Ltd) Andrew Balding 4-9-00 Oisin Murphy 7/2
14 ran 3/1F Chancellor (5th)
Roger Varian – 3rd Finals Day winner
Jack Mitchell – 2nd Finals Day winner
