Rip Van Winkle scores late International success Rip Van Winkle benefited from a strong Johnny Murtagh ride to deny owner Prince Khalid Abdullah a notable victory in the Juddmonte International at York. Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old was beaten by Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes over a mile last time out but relished the extra two furlongs on the Knavesmire. Abdullah, who sponsors the race through his breeding operation, looked as if he would be celebrating a famous one-two as Twice Over led Byword into the final furlong. However, Murtagh galvanised the 7-4 favourite for a famous last-gasp success from the gallant Twice Over. Outsider Stimulation took the field into the home straight but they had not gone very fast. Maxime Guyon grabbed the bull by the horns on Byword fully two and a half furlongs out and took a length out of the field. Tom Queally on old rival Twice Over had not let him get as far in front this time, though, and finally gained the upper hand after an epic battle - only to find Murtagh had timed his run to perfection, with half a length the margin of victory. Cavalryman ran much better to finish fourth with the supplemented Dick Turpin coming home fifth. O'Brien said: "They didn't go very fast and we we just looking to see him relax today, that was the important thing. "He seems in a real good place now and he's really on an upward curve. "Johnny gave him a real good ride. He's got a lot of speed this horse so we don't need to try him over further."
