Third time proves lucky for Al Nayyir in Lonsdale Cup Al Nayyir powered home from the rear to make it third time lucky in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup at York. Tom Clover’s stayer was beaten just a short head by Vauban in this Group Two contest two years ago and picked up the bronze medal behind Trawlerman 12 months ago. Sent off at 9-1, the eight-year-old was also second in the Yorkshire Cup on the Knavesmire in May and he was dropping back in trip and class after finishing seventh in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. It did not look great for Al Nayyir’s supporters halfway up the home straight, with William Buick rowing along at the rear of the field – but to his credit Clover’s charge kept responding to pressure and he passed the post a length in front of Illinois, with Mount Atlas third and 7-4 favourite Caballo De Mar a tired fourth. Clover said: “He loves a left-handed, conventional track. For whatever reason he has been in really good form all year. “He loved wintering in Dubai and he retained his form all through the season, he’s been very consistent. “He has been placed in two Group Twos, won a Group Three and now he’s won a Group Two. He just loves racing. “Hopefully we’ll go back to Dubai for a winter campaign at some point. I’m thrilled for the horse, at eight he seems to be an improving son of Dubawi! “He loves it here, York and Meydan are his two favourites, he loves a big, long straight and touch wood he seems happy on any ground. “He’s the yard favourite, his box is near our bedroom and he’s an amazing horse to ride. “I don’t think there’s anything else here for him this year as he prefers going left, so I imagine we’ll go back to Dubai now. There’s a chance he could go to France, but I doubt it.” For the George Scott’s Group One-winning Caballo De Mar it was two disappointing outings in a row, having been virtually pulled up in the Gold Cup having dropped away from the two-furlong pole. Billy Jackson-Stops, racing manager for owners Victorious Racing, said: “He came here with George thinking he was in top condition and maybe there were still a few affects from Ascot and we’re going to go back to the drawing board. “If he runs again it’s going to be the Cadran and there’s a small chance we’re going to give him a break now. He’s just slightly not finishing as he was, just falling over the line, so we’ll go back and regroup and see how he comes out of this. “He could have a little break and go straight to the Cadran and if we’re not perfectly happy we’ll give him a break and work back from that big weekend in Dubai.”
