Lion’s Pride produces 20-1 surprise in Godolphin Stakes Lion’s Pride produced a shock performance at Newmarket, while Isle Of Jura made a pleasing return from a long layoff. Lion’s Pride storms home in Godolphin Stakes John and Thady Gosden’s Lion’s Pride caused an upset in the Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket, running out a dominant winner at 20-1. Making just his second start of the season and first since April, the five-year-old was given a patient ride by Robert Havlin, held in midfield before being smuggled into contention as the race developed. Once into the dip, Lion’s Pride produced an electric turn of foot and stormed clear up the hill to win by seven lengths. George Scott’s Isle Of Jura finished second on his first run in 461 days, while Charlie Appleby’s 5-4 favourite By The Book, also returning from a break, came home in third. John Gosden said: “I thought he’d run well, but I didn’t quite expect him to win like that. He sprouted wings off a strong pace.” He added that all-weather and potential Middle Eastern targets over the winter could be considered, depending on invitations. Isle Of Jura pleases on return after long absence Connections of Isle Of Jura were more than satisfied with his runner-up effort, his first outing since winning last year’s Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. Trainer George Scott commented: “I’m obviously very, very happy. Billy (Loughnane) said he was very rusty and to me he raced like a horse that had been off a long time.” Despite being pushed along from an early stage, Isle Of Jura loomed into contention before tiring late, beaten fairly by the winner. Scott confirmed that the Bahrain International Trophy is the likely next step: “He loves that track and we knew he’d take a run just to blow the cobwebs away. The timing works well and he’s an incredibly important, special horse to us. It’s so nice to have him back.”
