Astaire beats Boulevard in the Gimcrack Kevin Ryan's Astaire saw off the late thrusts of Wilshire Boulevard and Parbold to land the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York. The Intense Focus colt ensured the Group 2 prize went to Kevin Ryan for the second successive season following a gate to wire success. Astaire took them along from the moment the gates opened and fould plenty for pressure as the challengers mounted on wither side. Wilshire Boulevard in particular looked a major threat as he made his challenge on the stands' side under Ryan Moore, but a neck separated the duo at the line. Callan said: "Kevin seems to pick one out for the race every year - they might have to start calling it the Kevin Ryan Gimcrack! "This is a lovely horse, I can't praise him enough. He's had to do it the hard way and make his own running. "He's a classy horse and he's got a big future.''
