Ralston Road dead-heats at York Pat Shanahan's raider Ralston Road forced a dead-heat with Clever Cookie in a pulsating finish to the Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup at York. Ralston Road (12-1) plied his trade in Dubai through the winter and was last seen finishing an excellent fifth to Certerach in the Gold Cup at Meydan on World Cup night. The Peter Niven-trained Clever Cookie (3-1 favourite) had won two from two on the Flat and was stepping up to Listed level having landed a Grade Two over hurdles at Kelso. Graham Lee bided his time on Clever Cookie up the straight and travelled into contention seemingly full of running, but Ronan Whelan on Ralston Road proved a formidable opponent, refusing to give way. Following a tense wait for connections, a dead-heat was called. Shanahan immediately set his sights on Royal Ascot. He said: "The Gold Cup is the plan now. We've always loved him and that's why. He's tough and genuine and stays very well. He'll probably be better on better ground." Niven has long had the Ebor in mind as a potential target for Clever Cookie, but was quick to rule the big handicap out. He said: "He'll not go for the Ebor. Graham said he emptied out two out, so he did well to dead-heat. He's had a hard race and he's probably not got the trip. We might come back for the John Smith's Cup, but we'll see what the handicapper does with him. "He's got a touch of class and is a very, very good horse, so we'll have to be careful with him."
