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Archie Watson narrowly denied a treble as Outbox just foiled in Swedish Group 3

Archie Watson: sent out his third juvenile winner of the season
Archie Watson: two winners from his runners in SwedenCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sunday: Bro Park

Archie Watson and Hambleton Racing were denied a treble as the Group 3 Stockholm Cup International went the way of Hard One To Please for Norwegian trainer Annike Bye Hansen.

It made it a worthwhile trip for British-based jockey Pat Cosgrave, who was winning the race for the third successive year.

Outbox, who was bidding for a first win since taking a Qatar Group 1 on his seasonal reappearance in February for Watson and Hambleton, led for most of the mile-and-a-half contest under Hollie Doyle but was headed by Hard One To Please in the last stride.

Although the seven-year-old was beaten a nose in the £140,000 contest, matching last season's effort in the same race, it was a successful trip to Sweden for connections.

Watson, who sent three horses to Bro Park's mixed card, made a fast start when the first of the trio, Al Zaraqaan, was guided to a comfortable success in the 2m3f conditions hurdle by Gavin Sheehan.

The five-year-old was following up a win in a handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot last month and is yet to finish outside of the first four since negotiating obstacles.

Doyle, fresh from her Group 3-winning exploits for Watson on Eddie's Boy at Chantilly on Saturday, combined with the Lambourn trainer for another success as Manitou justified favouritism in the 7f conditions race for juveniles.

The two-year-old has won both of his starts since undergoing a gelding operation and had too much class for his rivals to win by five lengths.

However, it was not be a perfect treble for Watson and Hambleton as Outbox was nabbed by Swedish and Norsk Derby winner Hard One To Please.


Catch our in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Classic-winning jockey George Baker, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and much more, it is not to be missed.


Published on 18 September 2022inInternational

Last updated 17:06, 18 September 2022

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