Samuel game winner of Doncaster Cup Samuel rewarded the patience of the John Gosden team when ending a wait of over two years without success in the Doncaster Cup at Town Moor. The six-year-old was sidelined for two seasons until returning in July and he was back in the winner's enclosure on just his third comeback run. The 5-1 shot took it up two furlongs out under William Buick after Tastahil had made his bid for glory and Samuel stayed on strongly to hold Barry Hills's runner by a length and a quarter. Motrice was a head away in third with the favourite Opinion Poll fourth. "He's been through a lot and he's really enjoying his racing now," said Buick. "I love riding these staying horses because they try so hard and he's a real character. "I thought before the only way I would beat Opinion Poll was to stretch him as my fella stays and he did that today." Gosden said: "He had a tendon injury but he's come back great and won a Doncaster Cup which is fantastic. "He ran well in the Lonsdale, he ran well here and if he's OK, we might run him in the Cadran (at Longchamp on Arc day)." Philipa Cooper of owners Normandie Stud added: "We've had to be very patient so this is fantastic. "I thought he'd come back, race once and then it (injury) would happen again. "All praise must go to John Gosden who has done a most unbelievable job with him." Hills said of the runner-up: "He would have appreciated a bit more give as he enjoys a good solid gallop and stays forever. "He has got a bit outpaced, as he did at York. There are not many races we can find but he could go to Newmarket next (Jockey Club Cup, October 16)." Sir Mark Prescott said of the third: "We are very pleased and it is as good as we could have hoped. She has come there with every chance and you'd have to be pleased with that."
