Sonnyboyliston claims Ebor for Murtagh

Sonnyboyliston hung on to give trainer Johnny Murtagh a second victory in the Sky Bet Ebor at York.

The handler sent out Mutual Regard to win the handicap feature back in 2014, and Sonnyboyliston (10-1) fended off Quickthorn to once again take the prize back to County Kildare.

Jockey Ben Coen bided his time through the early stages, sitting in mid division while Blue Cup and Humanitarian raced a couple of lengths clear at the head of affairs.

It looked as though Blue Cup had a handy advantage at the top of the straight, but he quickly dropped away, leaving Quickthorn in front.

However, Coen was poised to challenge down the middle of the track — and he edged in front in the final furlong, with 16-1 shot Quickthorn giving his all but eventually falling just short in a photo.

Alounak kept on for third, with Shanroe fourth. Favourites Ilaraab and Mt Leinster both finished down the field in heavy rain on the Knavesmire.

What a race! 🏆

Sonnyboyliston narrowly denies Quickthorn in a pulsating finish to the £500,000 @SkyBet Ebor @yorkracecourse

Full replay, report and reaction from @JohnnyMurtagh and @BenCoen2 👇 @LydiaHislop

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 21, 2021

Murtagh said: “It's all the hard work everybody does at home. It's me knowing the kind of horse it takes to win these races, like when I was riding in them.

“I'm going back to my experience as a jockey. That's the kind of horse we need for this track or that race.

“The last time he ran here he ran very well, and I liked the way he came home. He came on for that run, and that gave us confidence.

“He's out of a good staying mare. Fair play to Ben. He was good.”

Sonnyboyliston is entered in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh on September 12, while Murtagh also nominated him for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 2.

An Australian trip has not been ruled out, but Murtagh's sights are set on the Curragh for now.

He said: “I have him in the Irish St Leger, and we'll have to think about that first now before we consider Australia.

“Last year when he won (on) Irish Champions weekend over a mile and a quarter, I always thought when he stepped up in distance he'd get better.

“At the start of the year I thought he might end up in the Ebor. It doesn't always work out like that, but today it did — by a head.

“He is a pretty good stayer. He has to improve a lot for the Irish St Leger — but he's probably going to get a hike for that. It's the next logical step.

“There have been a lot of people looking at him before today, and I'm sure they will be on again after today, but my plan is to go for the Irish St Leger.”