Tiddliwinks: the lowest-rated runner in the field holds off his rivals
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Tiddliwinks springs 25-1 shock in Duke of York
Report: York, Wednesday
Duke of York Stakes (Group 2) 6f, 3yo+
TIDDLIWINKS sprang a 25-1 shock in the Duke of York Stakes, the feature race of the opening day of the Dante meeting.
The Kevin Ryan-trained six-year-old was unleashed inside the final furlong to beat The Cheka, with Society Rock narrowly edging out the always prominent Bogart for third.
The well-backed Hoof It was always finiding the pace a bit too hot, while second favourite, the Palace House Stakes winner Mayson, was never going and tailed off from halfway.
With no runner looking to emerge as a serious challenger to Black Caviar in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, Boylesports shortened the Aussie ace to 4-9 favourite (from 4-6) for the Royal Ascot.
The race was run at decent clip with Bannock, Bogart and Soul all disputing the lead. Jamie Spencer, who was suspended for two days for careless riding, had Tiddliwinks - the lowest-rated runner in the field with a handicap mark of 100 - held up from his draw in stall seven and made good headway to lead entering the furlong pole.
Ryan, who plans to take on Black Caviar with Tiddliwinks and fourth-placed Bogart, said: "Tiddliwinks had a few niggles after last year's race and we never got a clear run with him, but we really fancied him today. We had to get arun into him first at Newmarket, but the ground was against him."
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