'He made them look slow' - Giavellotto emulates staying greats with another impressive Yorkshire Cup win

Giavellotto joined celebrated stayers Ardross and Stradivarius as the only back-to-back winners of the Yorkshire Cup with a sparkling success in the Group 2 contest.

The Marco Botti-trained five-year-old travelled so powerfully into the lead, Oisin Murphy had the luxury of looking around for dangers a furlong and a half from home, but the jockey needn't have worried.

In a deep contest for the first major staying race of the British season, Giavellotto proved a class apart as he hit the line four and three-quarter lengths clear of Vauban in second, with 7-4 favourite Tower Of London a disappointing fifth of the six runners.

The winner's owner-breeder Francesca Franchini shed tears of happiness last year when her pride and joy announced himself as a top stayer, and she did so again after the historic success.

"He loves the track and has always shown his best form at York," said Botti. "He acts on fast ground and we've been lucky to avoid the rain this week. The race went to plan, he got in a nice rhythm in midfield and probably just got there a little sooner than we wanted. It's a race that suits him with the track and the trip and he put it to bed easily."

A day after a rampant winner of the Dante Stakes appeared unlikely to go to the Derby, at least the Yorkshire Cup provided clarity, with Botti ruling out going for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

That was the same decision as last year when Giavellotto did not run again until the Goodwood Cup in August, but a race even further back on the calendar was identified this time.

Oisin Murphy after riding Giavellotto to win the Yorkshire CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"We've tried two miles several times and I'm not saying he doesn't stay, as he ran well in Saudi Arabia, but it does stretch him a little bit and I think the Gold Cup trip [2m4f] is too far for him," said Botti.

"I'll have to discuss it with the owners, but it was the plan not to go to Ascot. I know the Irish St Leger is not until September and sometimes the ground gets softer, but it's a race we considered last year and didn't go for and I would say that could be the target, which we'll work back from."

Such was the pace Giavellotto showed in accelerating away from his rivals, a drop back in trip could even be on the cards.

Botti added: "I was a bit shocked at how far in front he was, I thought 'wow, he made them look slow'. A mile and a half might be an option – we were thinking of dropping back to that trip eventually, and as he's got older he's definitely got stronger."

Murphy, who was having his second ride on Giavellotto, was grateful for the help he received from afar.

"This is Andrea Atzeni's ride and he told me what to do, so thanks to him and I hope he keeps kicking in the winners in Hong Kong," said Murphy, before adding of his long look round: "I didn't want to get there early and see Ryan [Moore] come cantering past me, so I wanted to check where Tower Of London was."

The Gold Cup was confirmed as the target for third-placed Gregory, who was doing his best work at the end.

Joint-trainer John Gosden said: "I really liked the way he got his second wind and stayed on again. The plan is to go straight to the Gold Cup. He'll enjoy the distance."

Gold Cup (4.25 Royal Ascot, Thursday, June 20)

Paddy Power: 5-4 Kyprios, 7 Courage Mon Ami, 8 Gregory, Vauban, 10 Continuous, 14 Coltrane, 16 Caius Chorister, Trawlerman, 20 Absurde, Point Lonsdale, 25 Double Major, Tower Of London, Trueshan, Queenstown, 33 bar

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