Scots Dragoon and Alex Michael came from the clouds in the Grand Military

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham  

Scots Dragoon lands dramatic Grand Military

Report: Sandown, Friday

Grand Military Gold Cup Chase 3m½f, 6yo+

SCOTS DRAGOON came from well off the pace to win the Grand Military Gold Cup under a brilliant ride by Alex Michael at 3-1.

River Indus was a staying-on second at 22-1, while Distant Thunder, who looked like the winner turning for home, took third at 33-1.

Last year's winning partnership of Oakfield Legend and Sally Randall set the early pace, leading the field along at a frantic gallop.

Very few could go with the blistering gallop and passing the stands for the first time, there must have been at least 50 lengths from first to last.

Scots Dragoon sat in midfield and, turning away from the stands, was 20 lengths off the leading trio of Oakfield Legend, River Indus and Distant Thunder.

Going down the back straight, the race looked to be turning into a battle between last year's winner and Distant Thunder, but as they turned for home Distant Thunder was getting much the better of the battle.

However, the race was far from over as Michael stalked his way into contention on Scots Dragoon and with Distant Thunder going up and down on the spot, the Nicky Henderson-trained eight year-old powered past his toiling rivals, registering  a 14-length victory from the staying-on River Indus.

Michael said: "I was confident the leaders couldn't keep up that gallop. Scots Dragoon is as genuine as you like and has a lot of heart. His travelling speed is nothing special but he stayed on up the hill."

Henderson, who won the 2000 running with Camitrov, added: "He gave him a great ride. They were blatantly going to go too quick and he was exactly where we wanted him."

A tired looking Distant Thunder grabbed third, with Oakfield Legend un-seating two fences from home when battling for the place money.