Telescope flops as Snow wins under Smullen Snow Sky made every yard of the running under a masterful ride from Pat Smullen to win the Hardwicke Stakes. Winner of the Yorkshire Cup last time out, he was expected by many to find this trip a little on the short side and was sent off a 12-1 chance. Sir Michael Stoute, who has endured a miserable week to date, supplied three of the seven runners but hot favourite Telescope was expected to be his best chance of the winner. Ryan Moore tracked Snow Sky on Telescope but having set a pretty sedate pace, Smullen then stole three lengths turning into the straight. The rest were soon toiling and while Eagle Top stayed on to claim second from Postponed, he was three and three-quarter lengths back. Smullen said: "I get a lot of pleasure (out of a ride like that). We weren't going to beat them for a turn of foot so the tactics worked a treat. "He's a very good horse who is improving. He quickened off the bend and put daylight between them quickly." Stoute said: "He's surprised me today. "The turn of foot he showed on the bend won him the race. He was very good today. "They are always good rides when they win! "We've never ridden him from the front before, but I said to Pat that he would have the stamina. "We were thinking of the Melbourne Cup but we might have to rethink the plan. "I didn't put him in the King George but we'll have to see. It's too early to talk about the Arc. "Today is by far his best race. "Thank god we've at least got one winner." As for Telescope, Stoute sad: "Ryan said he felt the ground was too firm today, he needs a bit more give."
