Tudor City, left, beats Gradulations by half a length© Photo Healy Racing
Ageless Tudor City availed of a cool ride from James Ryan to strike in the Silken Thomas & Lock 13 Apprentice Derby.
The 11-year-old gelding, who has two Galway Hurdles in his locker, came in third in this race the last couple of years and it was third time lucky this evening.
All roads likely lead back to Ballybrit to defend his Galway Hurdle crown, but this was a nice pot to lift on the way.
Ryan rode him patiently and switched him out from the rail to challenge between horses by the final furlong.
The veteran showed good resolve to squeeze through to lead in the final 100 yards and was pushed out to win by half a length at 17/2 from 12/1. Gradulations had to settle for the runner-up prize at 10/1, with Crassus (12/1) and Lygon Street (11/2) completing the placings in third and fourth respectively.
"He travelled like a dream the whole way around. Two furlongs out I thought I was going fierce well and I was just waiting for the splits and luckily they came,” said Ryan.
“I went up and sat on him in Tony's on Tuesday and he said 'he's ready to go and seems in great order', he filled me with confidence.
“I got a great draw, down the paint the whole way and saved ground.
“Tony said to me that he loves cover so to hold him as long as I can. It worked out perfectly. I had a wall of horses in front of me to aim at and luckily they opened at bit.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
