Talaayeb takes City honours at York

Talaayeb, who finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas earlier this year, bounced back to winning form in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes on the Knavesmire.

Owen Burrows' filly was having just her fourth career outing and was sent off a 9-1 shot in the hands of Chris Hayes for the seven-furlong heat, after disappointing over 10 furlongs last time out.

There was drama from virtually the stalls opening, as 4-1 favourite Daban was pulled up shortly after the start and Mubtasim shot off in front, building up a five-length lead at one stage.

However, he soon felt his early efforts as the race began in earnest, and it was Talaayeb who finished strongest of all to repel the late challenge of Toscanini at the line. Suedois was third.

Talaayeb (9-1) was racing in the second colours of owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, with Hayes taking the ride after Jim Crowley opted to partner Rusumaat off a slightly higher weight.

Hayes said: "Jim had the choice, but it may have been a weight issue.

"I got the call from (racing manager) Angus Gold the other morning to see if I was riding anywhere on Friday as this filly was up for grabs and I jumped at the chance.

"She's quite a nice filly."

Burrows said: "It's nice to see her back. It was a great run in the Guineas.

"We tried her over 10 furlongs. She obviously didn't stay that. Everything went wrong in that race at Newbury. Then it was stop start.

"I wanted to run her at Goodwood and at Haydock, but the ground was too soft.

"I'm chuffed to bits, but she's had a hard-enough race by the look of it.

"She's in the Group One race in Ireland (Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes) on September 9. We'll have a chat and see."

He added: "Chris Hayes hadn't ridden for me before. She only had 8st 6lb. Jim couldn't do that, but Richard (Hills) and Angus know him as he rides for Sheikh Hamdan in Ireland.

"He was mentioned when we talked about a jockey for Talaayeb. We spoke to his agent and got him."

Paul Hanagan felt Toscanini, who has been regularly making the running for Richard Fahey-trained stablemate Ribchester, performed with plenty of credit in defeat.

He said: "He's just shown there that he's still a very good horse in his own right. It's taken a very good horse to beat him, getting plenty of weight."

David O'Meara similarly felt Suedois deserved plenty of praise for his near-miss.

He said: "He's not done a lot wrong again. He had a poor draw so had to use up plenty early on and he's been beaten by a three-year-old filly giving away lots of weight.

"We've been tempted to run him over a mile for a while now and I think we will go for the Boomerang Stakes in Ireland."

Daban was reported to have been taken back to the stables for further treatment.


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