American Mike saunters clear© Photo Healy Racing
American Mike had no problem whatsoever in landing odds of 1/8 in the Listed Future Champions Flat Race.
The Mahler four-year-old, a winner at Down Royal in October, tracked Battling Bessie before coming through to lead two furlongs out and he quickly went clear to slam that rival by 17 lengths.
Bought for £195,000 in the spring after winning a point-to-point for Sean Doyle, the Jamie Codd-ridden winner was cut into 3/1 favourite (from 7/2) for the Cheltenham bumper with Paddy Power and Betfair.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott, completing a treble on the day after Au Fleuron at this venue and Ardhill at Ascot, said: “I’m very happy with him and he’s done what we expected. I don’t think he could have done any more.
“Jamie said it was a proper race and they went a good gallop.
“He could go for the Dublin Racing Festival but I’d say he’ll go straight to Cheltenham. I think he’s a proper horse.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
