Enfjaar turns in Glorious effort from the front

Ray Dawson excelled from the front as Roger Varian’s Enfjaar made every yard of the running to win the Coral Glorious Stakes at Goodwood.

Taking a leaf out of Irish Champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle’s book who has shone at the meeting this week, Dawson was keen to get in front and control the race.

While it looked as if Enfjaar may have been doing too much in front at one stage trying the trip for the first time, Dawson was able to get him settled and he got a breather into him before rolling down the hill.

Having slightly disappointed at Royal Ascot when held up, the 8-1 chance relished being left alone and while the William Haggas-trained duo of Opportunity and Al Aasy who was chasing a hat-trick in the race, gave chase, Enfjaar had a length and a quarter in hand at the line.

“It was a great ride from Ray. It was the first time the horse was going a mile and a half, so maybe the trainer should have pulled his finger out and got his trip right a couple of years ago,” said Varian.

“You don’t always necessarily want to be in front stepping up in trip but there didn’t look to be a lot of pace on and we said that if he broke on terms and relaxed, to ride the situation.

“I did say to the owners this morning that, if this worked, it was going to open up a few new doors. We have explored the mile-and-a-quarter programme pretty strongly over the last two years.

“He has always been a talented horse, although this might be his first win since the John Smith’s Cup. He has run some fine races including in the Wolferton this year, when he had no luck in running, and the same race last year. He is very capable on his day and beat a strong field today, so I am delighted.”

Dawson said: “Today, we had no plan. If he jumped well and was in a rhythm, it was the best way to get him to stay stepping up in trip. He stayed it very well and he’s answered that question, I’m delighted.

“He’s very tough, he’s got a big engine – he won a John Smith’s Cup off a high mark a couple of years back – so he’s always had the ability. It was the first time he’s ever made the running like that I think but when he felt the horses come to him, he’s found another gear and lengthened out all the way to the line.”