Dunlop lands Cup with Times Up Times Up won the Stobart Doncaster Cup, just one day after his trainer John Dunlop announced he will be retiring at the end of this season. The current campaign had been one of the worst in the 46 year career of the Master of Castle Stables but Times Up's victory in last month's Lonsdale Cup had signalled an upturn in his fortunes. The six year old provided the Arundel handler with another memorable success when just having enough in hand to repel the late lunge of High Jinx by a neck in the two mile two furlong Group Two. With the exception of Never Can Tell, who broke down badly, the field were tightly bunched in the long Town Moor straight with Aaim To Prosper having set a steady gallop from the off. Eddie Ahern always had the son of Olden Times well placed and that proved crucial as he got first run on the runner-up who was trapped in a pocket on the rail but made up ground hand over fist once in the clear. Saddler's Rock failed to settle for the second race in succession and could only manage fifth, while Colour Vision weakened out of contention having tracked the pace throughout. It was left to Hurricane Higgins to take third, a length and a quarter behind the principals. Dunlop said: "I'm thrilled. He's a good staying horse and he's got a very appropriate name too. Mind, it's not the end yet!" He went on: "He was travelling very well up the straight but I was a bit worried as they went no pace at all. He was very relaxed and he's quickened up well. He's in very good form. "It's not easy to find races for him, we ran him at Ascot last season but I don't think he likes going right-handed. Having said that he only just got beaten a head at Longchamp last year so he may go for the Cadran. "I've had a lot of luck here, won this race, the Leger and the November Handicap a few times, in fact this horse won the November Handicap." Ahern said: "I said before the race wouldn't it be fantastic if he could go out on a big one - this feels like a big one. The key to him is he travels so well. He was going so well two furlongs out and you can pick your spots." "Everything went to plan, the pace of the race was a little bit slow but I was closer to the pace for that reason. "In the last three furlongs everything was under control. He was giving me a really good feel and was filling me with confidence. It was just a matter of waiting for the furlong pole to really let him go and see what was there" added Ahern. "I was very confident. I've given him a couple of backhanders and he's picked up. He's galloped to the line. "It's a pity I came to England 10 years ago. If I'd have come 20 years ago I might have got to see all John's amazing horses. "Since I came here he's been a massive supporter, always stuck by me. I never got jocked off a horse."
