Sesenta triumphs in Ebor at York

Ebor Festival, York
Date: Tuesday 18 - Friday 21 August
Coverage: Commentary of all the main races on BBC Radio 5 Live and via the 5 Live website (UK users only) More racing coverage details

Sesanta beat Changingoftheguard in the Ebor

Sesenta pipped hot favourite Changingoftheguard to win the prestigious Ebor Handicap on day two of York's Ebor Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained Sesenta (25-1), ridden by Gary Carroll, came late on the outside to beat Johnny Murtagh's 15-8 chance by a head.

Hits Only Vic was three-quarters of a length back, with Nanton fourth.

"Gary rode for me last year and I thought he was one of the best kids I've seen on a horse," said Mullins.

Johnny Murtagh was slowly away from the stalls aboard the Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite, and became trapped for racing room as the pace increased down the home straight.

Top-weight Warringah led the field into the final few furlongs but Sesenta steamed down the outside under apprentice Carroll, with Murtagh lunging too late aboard Changingoftheguard.

"She got shuffled back early on and turning in I was a bit further back than I wanted, but she is all heart and was always hanging on," said Carroll.

"I just tried to ride it like any normal race, otherwise you start panicking, and if you are on the best horse it usually works out.

"It's my first ride here and my third ride in England. It's only my second season as an apprentice and I can't believe how it's going."

O'Brien said of Changingoftheguard: "He ran a great race, we will see where we go now. He is a young horse and it was a great experience for him."

Hopes were dashed for one mysterious punter from Cambridgeshire who was in line to scoop exactly £1m after placing a £180 treble on Genki winning the Stewards' Cup at 14-1 and Laa Rayb at 33-1 in the totesport Mile, with the final leg running on to Red Merlin at 10-1 in the Ebor.

But Red Merlin finished 12th in the 19-runner field.

Earlier, the favourite Showcasing won the Gimcrack Stakes by two lengths from Taajub and Monsieur Chevalier.

Jockey Jimmy Fortune said: "He is a lovely horse and is going the right way.

"He relaxed nicely today, which is what you want from these sprinters, although he was looking at the cameraman under the rails in the closing stages.

"He is a nice relaxed horse and will definitely get another furlong."

Totesport Ebor Heritage Handiap (York)

1. Sesenta (W Mullins) 25-1
2. Changingoftheguard (A O'Brien) 15-8F
3. Hits Only Vic (D Carroll) 16-1
4. Nanton (J Goldie) 40-1

19 ran. Dist hd, ¾l, sh.

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes (York)

1. Showcasing (J Fortune) 2-1 Fav
2. Taajub (R Hills) 16-1
3. Monsiuer Chevalier (R Hughes) 5-2

6 ran. Dist: 2, ½