Cap lands the Gordon at Goodwood Cap O'Rushes (9/2) gained a narrow win from Excess Knowledge in the Neptune Investment Management Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Victory in the recognised St Leger trial went to the Charlie Appleby trained colt who had finished fourth in the Irish Derby on his previous start but it could have been different but for some of his rivals meeting trouble in running. Kieren Fallon set a sensible pace on Testudo and was still at the head of affairs with Godolphin pair Cap O'Rushes and Secret Number just in behind. As the race began to develop in the straight, Excess Knowledge found himself short of room as he looked to challenge on the inside of Spillway and it took William Buick a little time to pick the colt up for a renewed challenge. Spillway joined issue with the eventual winner and Testudo and looked like going close until jinking to his left while Secret Number was in the process of coming back for more towards the inside rail only to find no way through. A first Group race success for Appleby, who has only recently taken over the reins at Moulton Paddock Stables, was achieved by a head at the first attempt. In another first, it was a maiden Glorious Goodwood winner for jockey Mickael Barzalona. "Last year I was unlucky not to win (on Encke) so I'm very happy to win this year," said Barzalona. "We went a nice pace and I was travelling well but I made my challenge when Tom (Queally, on Spillway) came to me. "He doesn't show a lot in the morning but he's a proper Group horse as he showed in the Irish Derby, he deserves to run in another Group One now." Appleby said: "We were confident coming in as he ran a decent race in Ireland, he wasn't there just to make the pace, and he came out of it very well. "A bit of cut in the ground suited, he's bred to improve throughout the season and that's what he's doing. "I can't thank Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin enough for giving me this opportunity and hopefully I'll repay them by giving them plenty of winners. "I was more excited than nervous. I'd been with Godolphin 15 years with Saeed (Bin Suroor) and assistant for five years so I've been well schooled into the job. I have so much confidence in my team which can only help." Appleby is now planning a trip to York with Cap O'Rushes and new recruit Libertarian, who has joined his team after finishing second in the Derby for Elaine and Karl Burke. He said of the winner: "If he comes out of this well, we will probably take him to Great Voltigeur and hopefully then the Leger. Libertarian has had a break and the plan is for him to run in the Voltigeur as well." The winner was cut to 20/1 from 25s by Sky Bet for the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster in September but it was the beaten favourite that really caught the eye of the layers. The Leeds firm make Excess Knowledge an 8/1 shot for the season's final Classic from 12s.
