Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes 2e492u |
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| Group 3, Haydock Park 15:33 £85,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 7f 37y, Class 1  |
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695l59
1 Ten Bob Tony 5/1
2 Kinross 10/1
3 Volterra 14/1
12 ran Distances: hd, 1½l, 1¼l
Time: 1m 29.09s (slow by 1.99s)
It really is Ed Walker's day 👏👏👏
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 31, 2025
Ten Bob Tony beats Kinross to the line in the Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes 🏆#ITVRacing | @haydockraces | @edwalkerracing | @WilliamBuickX pic.twitter.com/HuHUeACvjd
Ten Bob Tony cut a dash under a cloud of scrutiny, emerging victorious, denying stalwart Kinross by a head on a red-letter afternoon for Ed Walker and his blossoming yard.
The four-year-old, victorious first time out last season, had held his own in the 2000 Guineas before tackling French soil and finishing down the field behind the classy Topgear. Questions hung over him like a spectre on this return – he’d been below par at his previous start and had since been gelded – yet his fresh-season promise, coupled with Walker’s hot streak, told a different story.
That hot streak, it should be noted, reads like a highlights reel. A week earlier, Almaqam had ridden the wave home in the Brigadier Gerard. Scenic captured the Bronte Cup at York, and Balmoral Lady lit up Haydock with victory in the Achilles Stakes before Ten Bob Tony took centre stage.
Early in the John of Gaunt, Volterra looked the one to catch, her stride electric. But Audience – last year’s Lockinge hero – floated menacingly on her outside. And yet it was Ten Bob Tony, unhurried in his five-furlong bid, who wound his way up under William Buick and hit the front inside the last furlong. It was then that Ralph Beckett’s eight-year-old veteran, Kinross – lugging weight all round – swooped late, spearheading a final charge. The pair hit the line together, separated only by a whisker. That verdict stood firm after a painstaking inquiry.
“An agonising wait,” itted Walker, voice crackling with relief, as he spoke from York. “But crucial he got the job done. Ten Bob Tony was Simon Sadler’s first horse and now he’s staking his claim in a big way.” Walker’s grin was audible as he recalled Qilin Queen, his yard’s first Listed winner at Newbury on Lockinge day, and how Ten Bob Tony had quickly followed suit.
“It’s a special time. I’ve won Group Ones before, but to string these moments together… it’s been a week to savour. Long may it continue.”
Buick, too, breathed easy: “I got a caution,” he shrugged. “They had to check it, but my lad just found plenty. A genuine warrior. It was hotly contested, and hopefully this sets him up for more.”
Merseyside was represented by assistant Matty Hicks, who shed light on Ten Bob Tony’s transformation: “He’d been a head-scratcher late last year, but we banked on that French run behind Topgear. He’s shown it consistently. He’s tough, and gelding has made him more professional – he’s almost the finished article.”
Hicks added: “I’d expect him to head back up to a mile rather than drop to six furlongs. He’s entered in the Queen Anne at Ascot, so watch this space – he might just have more to give.”
John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3)
£85,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 7f 37y, Class 1
12 ran
Going: Good
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (2) Ten Bob Tony 4 9-2 Ed Walker William Buick 5/1
2 (9) hd Kinross 8 9-7 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 10/1
3 (11) 1½ Volterra 4 9-2 Kevin Ryan Shane Gray 14/1
4 (8) 1¼ Room Service 4 9-2 Kevin Ryan Tom Eaves 28/1
5 (4) ¾ Spycatcher 7 9-2 K R Burke Clifford Lee 20/1
6 (12) 1¼ Kikkuli 4 9-2 Harry Charlton Oisin Murphy 12/1
7 (6) shd Audience 6 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Robert Havlin 15/8F
8 (1) 2¼ Alyanaabi 4 9-2 Owen Burrows Jim Crowley 3/1
9 (5) ¾ Tiger Bay 5 8-13 Henry Candy Trevor Whelan 20/1
10 (7) 2 Grey's Monument 5 9-2 Ralph Beckett Harry Davies 66/1
11 (10) 2 Quinault 5 9-2 Stuart Williams Marco Ghiani 25/1
12 (3) 17 Mount Athos 6 9-2 James Tate Daniel Tudhope 25/1
