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The ever-so-consistent Coltrane (11/4) gained a thoroughly deserved success in the Lonsdale Cup at York on Friday.
Although a Group 2 by status, it was a race littered with Group 1 performers and billed as something of a rematch between reopposing contenders from Glorious Goodwood.
As expected, confirmed front-runner Quickthorn set out to make all the running as he did when destroying his rivals in the Goodwood Cup earlier in the month.
However, unlike at Goodwood where Tom Marquand found himself with a healthy 20-length advantage at one stage, jockeys today weren't going to allow him such a big lead with River Of Stars and Rossa Ryan sitting on his quarters. They were followed by a stalking Coltrane in third, while his Ascot conqueror Courage Mon Ami held up at the rear of the field under Frankie Dettori.
Quickthorn was sent for home under Marquand with four furlongs to run but it soon became clear a repeat of last year's success was not to be as he faded under pressure.
It was Coltrane who came there travelling best and he struck the front with two furlongs to run. Giavallotto and Courage Mon Ami both stayed on strongly, but they couldn't bridge the gap to the gutsy Coltrane, who continued to find for Oisin Murphy and eventually came home a ready one-and-a-half length winner.
Courage Mon Ami got the better of Giavallotto for the runner-up spot.
It was something of a bittersweet success for team Balding with Coltrane's stablemate Nate The Great pulling up sharply.
Balding's wife, Anna Lisa, said: "Hopefully the other horse will be OK. They've put a compression boot on him and taken him back to the stables. The vets are there, and they are doing what they can. That was fully deserved for Coltrane, though, he is adored by everyone.
"He's been incredibly consistent. At Goodwood, Tom gave Quickthorn such a great ride he fully deserved that, but it was his turn today and he's done it in brilliant style. I'm thrilled to win another Group Two for Mick and Janice [Mariscotti] as they have been incredibly patient.
"He had surgery two years ago; he hasn't looked back but that is why he doesn't go to Australia. He's like a pet, he's adorable. I think it will be Ascot [Champions Day] next as he ran so well in the race last year."
