Rock flops as Times Up springs surprise Times Up brightened a modest season for John Dunlop with victory in the Group 2 Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup at York as the John Oxx trained 13/8 favourite Saddler's Rock disappointed. The veteran Arundel handler had had just six winners in the whole of a miserable 2012 but the six year old will have brought a smile to his face as he showed the best turn of foot to land the extended two mile contest under William Buick. Goodwood Cup winner Saddler's Rock took his 10 rivals along at a steady gallop before Niall McCullagh tried to turn the screw on the turn into the straight. His mount couldn't find as much as he had on the quicker ground on the Sussex Downs, however, and the writing was on the wall for favourite backers as both Thimaar and Ibicenco moved alongside at the head of the long straight. High Jinx was always prominent and tried to challenge along the far rail but he lacked the pace to be competitive despite staying on again to finish the eventual second. Lost In The Moment travelled strongly as he often does but so too did Cavalryman, who was being stalked by Times Up, and Simenon. Supporters of the latter may feel a little aggrieved as Willie Mullins' charge repeatedly found his path through blocked but there were no such problems for Times Up as Buick challenged towards the centre of the track. The winning margin was two and a quarter lengths from James Fanshawe's progressive runner with a further half length back to Lost In The Moment. Buick said: "He travelled so well, I got a nice lead and he's won very easily. It was just a case of not getting there too soon. "He's come back to his best. All he does is travel and he's picked up very well. He's got quite a lot of speed for a stayer. "He's surprised me and it's a very nice spare ride to get." Dunlop said: "I couldn't be more delighted. We've not had enough winners this season, but this is grand. "He likes it here. I was surprised with the tactics employed on Saddler's Rock and the ground worried me beforehand. "A flat, left-handed track is perfect for him. "William said he had to take a pull halfway up the run-in and he's done it nicely. "There's a very limited programme for the stayers. He may go to France or the race at Ascot on Champions Day."
