'Quirky individual' Two For Gold toughs it out to win first Fleur De Lys Chase

Sunday: Fleur De Lys Chase, Lingfield

After Saturday's Clarence House Chase delivered on its pre-race billing, the inaugural Fleur De Lys Chase did exactly the same as Two For Gold, Dashel Drasher and Bristol De Mai served up a finish worthy of the occasion.

Just like Ascot's epic between Shishkin and Energumene, there was no hiding place in this newly created £150,000 contest and, on attritional ground, it boiled down to heart and courage.

All three protagonists showed an abundance of both but it was Two For Gold, having been headed by Dashel Drasher inside the final half-furlong, who edged out his rivals in the dying strides.

The winning margin at the line was a short head, with just three-quarters of a length back to Bristol De Mai, who was carried out on his shield in third.

Watch Two For Gold's battling win in the Fleur De Lys Chase

"He loves a battle and knows how to win," said winning rider David Bass. "He doesn't do a whole lot in front but it feels brilliant to win.

"It's so good for the whole yard to win a big pot like this. It's a great privilege to come here and ride good horses in good races."

Winning trainer Kim Bailey, who played a part in Saturday's big race with third-placed First Flow, echoed the thoughts of Bass and hailed Two For Gold as the saviour of his season.

"I said to my assistant this morning that we need a horse to rescue us this season and what's the chance of this happening today?" said Bailey. "We all thought if he finished third he'd done bloody well. He's a funny old horse and a quirky individual but he's given his owners a huge amount of fun."

Two For Gold (second right) just comes out on top in a thrilling battle up the run-inCredit: Edward Whitaker

Victory earned the May We Never Be Found Out Partnership a first prize of £78,000 and Bailey was full of praise for the Winter Million concept.

"When they announced this race we said straight away this was the one we wanted to go for. He loves soft ground. We'll find somewhere else for him but he's done his job for the season.

"This race is worth the same amount as Shishkin's race. For horses like Two For Gold, races like this don't grow on trees and I'm really chuffed for the owners, who have been supporters of mine for a long time."

Runner-up Dashel Drasher will attempt to defend his Grade 1 Ascot Chase crown next month, according to trainer Jeremy Scott, who was among the first to congratulate Bailey after the race.

"What a fantastic race and three very brave horses fought it out," said Scott. "Rex Dingle thought if he'd just hung on a little bit later and had one go at Two For Gold he might have got him but it was a fantastic race. He seems fine and Ascot will be the aim."

There was a sad postscript to the race as Grade 2-winning chaser Master Tommytucker, who fell at the third-last fence, suffered a fatal injury. Rider Harry Cobden was able to walk away from the fall.

Read more:

'One of the best I've ever been in' - stunning Shishkin beats Energumene in epic

'This race had her name on it' - Simcock and Dwyer delight after landing big pot

'That's the real Metier' - Harry Fry relieved after Sovereign Hurdle success

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