3 minute read

Esquire sprung something of a surprise when taking out the Group 3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at odds of 16/1 for trainer David O’Meara and jockey Danny Tudhope.

The Chevley Park-owned three-year-old was last seen finishing well-beaten in sixth in the Listed Prospect Stakes at Doncaster last year but seemingly improved plenty to land the spoils on his reappearance.

Keen towards the near side under Danny Tudhope throughout the early stages, Esquire was then allowed to stride on as the field approached the two-furlong pole and with a fairly taking turn of foot, the gelded son of Harry Angel soon had the Classic trial in safekeeping.

28/1 shot El Bodon and 7/2 favourite Zoum Zoum dead-heated for second spot as four horses crossed the line in a bunch for the minor honours, but neither ever looked like laying a glove on the winner, who eventually scored by a commanding one and a quarter lengths.

O'Meara said of the winner, who isn't eligible for the 2000 Guineas being a gelding: "I wasn't sure he would stay the seven (furlongs) today and I wouldn't be certain he would get the seven at Ascot (Jersey Stakes) either, but today has opened the option of seven. We thought we would give it a whirl and if he didn't stay we would come back to six, but he saw it out well today so I will speak to Chris (Richardson) and Mrs (Patricia) Thompson and see what they want to do now.

"He obviously isn't in the Guineas because he's a gelding, but there's always lots of nice races for a nice horse.

"We loved him before he won his maiden which was only at Hamilton and then he finished second in a Listed race at York, but he disappointed at Doncaster on heavy ground at the end of last season. I thought he could come here today and maybe finish fourth or fifth, but I wasn't sure he would win."