EBOR FESTIVAL, YORK Tue 17 to Fri 20 August
Coverage: Channel 4 TV, big-race commentaries on BBC Radio 5 live, results/reports on BBC Sport website Updates:Cornelius Lysaght on Twitter  Rip van Winkle (far left) was delivered late by Johnny Murtagh
Rip Van Winkle swooped late to win the Juddmonte International under Johnny Murtagh at York's Ebor Festival. Khalid Abdullah's two runners, Twice Over and Byword, appeared to have the race between them, but Rip Van Winkle collared the pair on the line. It was a fine performance from the Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old. Earlier, favourite Rewilding won the Great Voltigeur Stakes on the opening day of the four-day meeting under a strong finish from Frankie Dettori. And it was another favourite who collected the day's feature race, a Group One over one mile and two furlongs which last year provided a significant victory for the incomparable Sea The Stars. Rip van Winkle had been beaten by Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes over a mile last time out, but he really relished the extra two furlongs on the Knavesmire.  | 606: DEBATE |
Abdullah, who sponsors the race through his breeding operation, looked as if he would be celebrating a famous one-two as Twice Over led Byword into the final furlong. However, Murtagh galvanised his mount for a famous last-gasp success, with Twice Over, trained by Henry Cecil, forced to settle for second. French handler Andre Fabre saw Byword knocked down into third. Outsider Stimulation took the field into the home straight but there was a lack of pace at the front of affairs. Finally, Maxime Guyon seized the initiative on Byword two and a half furlongs out and took a length out of the field. Tom Queally gained the upper hand after an epic battle between that duo, but neither was counting on the dark blue silks of Murtagh aboard Rip Van Winkle. The winning post came in the nick of time for the winner, who won by half a length. Cavalryman was fourth with the supplemented Dick Turpin fifth. O'Brien said: "They didn't go very fast and we were just looking to see him relax today, that was the important thing. "He seems in a real good place now and he's really on an upward curve. "Johnny gave him a real good ride. He's got a lot of speed this horse so we don't need to try him over further." Murtagh said: "I love this horse. He showed when he won his two Group Ones last year what a champion he was. He didn't run his race in America [the Breeders' Cup Classic], but I think he's a great horse, he comes through anything. "Aidan had a plan this year with him that he was going to take it slow, there's a lot of big races coming up for him at the end of the year and we want to have him fresh and well.  Out came the signature Dettori dismount at York |
"I think he'll improve again from today, he was still a bit rusty. Sometimes when they kick he can't go with them but when he gets into top gear he comes home really well." Rewilding (6-4), the Godolphin three-year-old, had last been seen coming home to good effect in third place in the Derby. In this race, he produced a thoroughly impressive performance in every regard, always travelling ominously well, and he is likely to be a hot order for the St Leger. There was a good early gallop, with Harris Tweed at the head of affairs, and Johnny Murtagh was keen not to let him get too far clear on Midas Touch. However, Dettori moved stealthily up to challenge inside the final two furlongs and despite Joshua Tree also making eye-catching headway, there was only ever going to be one winner. At the finish, Rewilding had four lengths to spare over Midas Touch, with Joshua Tree third and Ted Spread fourth. Dettori said: "It was a tremendous race, we went a very strong gallop and the time was good. "It takes him a bit of time to warm up, but four furlongs out there was only one winner. I was very pleased with him. "We've said all along he's a perfect Leger horse, this is the best trial and we can go there with plenty of confidence. He's calm and the trip is no problem." Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said: "We went to Epsom thinking we might be able to win, but he was ultimately no match for Workforce and the track didn't suit him. "He's a horse who has enough class to run over a mile and a quarter, but he'll go for the Leger and he must have a favourite's chance."
Juddmonte International Rip Van Winkle (J P Murtagh) 7-4 Fav
Twice Over (T P Queally) 6-1
Byword (M Guyon) 11-4
9 ran Voltigeur Stakes 1 Rewilding (L Dettori) 6-4 Fav
2 Midas Touch (J P Murtagh) 5-2
3 Joshua Tree (J P Spencer) 14-1
10 ran
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