25/1 shot Fayez captured the opening race of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the £75,000 Unibet Handicap, with a dramatic victory in the 10-furlong handicap.
Second-last entering the home straight, Fayez, trained by David O’Meara, had to wait for a gap to appear on the rail, but managed to thread a passage in the closing stages under a superb ride by Danny Tudhope, who is chasing his first jockeys’ championship success this season, to score by a half-length. The Jedd O’Keeffe-trained Jazeel (8/1) was back in second.
North Yorkshire-based O’Meara said: “Fayez likes to be dropped in and go to sleep in his races and then burrow a way through.
“The run he made on the rail was one of those! It worked and that was great, but if it hadn’t have worked, it would not have mattered as there were other races for him.
“Danny went out there with no pressure. If he got stopped, it is not the end of the world, but the plan was ride from the back, take our time and try to burrow a way through.
“We went out with no huge expectations today. This horse has been doing a lot of his winning at Ripon and it is almost as if that track brings out the best in him.
“He has been in great form all year and it was lovely to also see him win away from Ripon. The track here at Goodwood is also right-handed and that suited him.”
Jedd O’Keeffe was delighted with the performance of second-placed Jazeel. He said: “Jazeel is a fantastic horse. He always comes and runs his race. They did not go especially fast today and he could do with being in a race where they go a real good gallop and that would see him to great effect!
“We are delighted with the performance and we will get him back home before making a plan.”
1.50pm Unibet Handicap, 1m 1f 197y
1 Fayez (Northern Lads & Nawton Racing) David O’Meara 5-8-12 Danny Tudhope 25/1
2 Jazeel (Quantum) Jedd O’Keeffe 4-8-11 Jamie Spencer 8/1
3 Setting Sail (Godolphin) Charlie Appleby 4-9-07 James Doyle 5/1jf
4 Ventura Knight (Middleham Park Racing) Mark Johnston 4-8-13 16/1
5/1jf Soto Sizzler (9th)
16 ran
Time: 2m 9.26s
Karen can usually be found glued to her computer or at the stables. Having edited several national magazines she co-founded Eclipse Magazine in 2008 after realising that many of her friends were nervous about going racing due to lack of information – what to wear, how to bet etc.
She absolutely loves her job (how many people can say that?!) and is truly grateful to all supporters of and contributors to Eclipse Magazine.
If you are reading this she would like to say THANK YOU! (And please spread the word about Eclipse…!!)
