Glen's Diamond wins Yorkshire Cup

Richard Fahey's Glen's Diamond was a 25/1 winner of Group 2 QIPCO Yorkshire Cup after a thrilling duel with 11/4 favourite Top Trip.

The winner was back to his best under a front-running ride at York and had most of the field at full stretch with two furlongs to run.

The market leader had been off the bridle for most of the contest but gradually cut the leader down and looked to be in front momentarily inside the distance.

However Glen's Diamond would not be denied and bravely rallied, the pair flashing past the post seemingly locked together but the photographic evidence confirmed the winner had regained the initiative where it matters most.

Only a nose separated the pair with the Tommy Carmody trained, Niall McCullagh ridden Royal Diamond (11/1) a further three-and-a-quarter lengths away in third.

Robin O'Ryan, assistant trainer to Fahey, was deputising for his boss, who was at home with flu, and said: "That's the best medication I'd say. He ran a great race last year but we were frightened of the ground today and we only ran him because it was York I think.

"He relaxed in front and we left it all to Tony. He didn't have a great experience in Dubai (last year) and he can be quite keen but Tony gets the credit for getting him to relax in front."

Hamilton said: "He's tough, he can be keen but Robin (O'Ryan) left it to me today and they said put your hands on his neck and see where he lands. We landed in front so I rode a race from the front.

"His form tailed off but he kept running on bad ground and we nearly pulled him out today because of the ground. I wasn't sure if I'd won."

Owner Glen Clayton said: "I wanted a diamond ring but I got the horse instead. He's been more fun than a diamond ring.

"I didn't think he was going to win, I wasn't confident at all, I thought the ground had gone against him."

Doumen said of the runner-up: "I'm never pleased, especially when I'm beaten a couple of inches.

"He lost the race with the storm yesterday because that was not his ideal surface, but he's proved he's improved from last year, he's proven that he can stay which was a doubt, according to the press.

"It was a big test today on ground he doesn't like but I'm happy that we've got a good horse. He's a bit lazy and he has to be pushed along, but he has a kick at the end."