Enemy proves Ian Williams' best friend to set up ambitious Melbourne Cup tilt

Saturday: Musselburgh

Enemy blew away the opposition in the Betway Queen’s Cup to leave his connections dreaming of a tilt at the Melbourne Cup later this year.

Danny Tudhope bided his time before sending the 11-1 chance to the front before the furlong pole and from there he stretched clear in fine style to defeat Dark Jedi in the £100,000 1m6f handicap.

"I told Danny to ride him as he saw fit. He has given him a great ride and that was a mightily impressive performance," said trainer Ian Williams. "The owners Andy Bell and Fergus Lyons like to travel and I’m hoping he will be good enough to have a go at the Melbourne Cup."

Enemy was racing for only the third time for Williams, having joined the stable at the beginning of the year from France.

Enemy (blue and orange cap) goes clear of his rivals in the Queen's CupCredit: John Grossick

The five-year-old was sent to Meydan in February and showed marked improvement when stepping up to 1m6f, finishing fourth in a Group Three contest behind Manobo.

"I thought I’d spoiled his handicap mark by him doing so well at Meydan, but it won’t be coming into play anyway now," said Williams. "We did not have any particular programme in mind for the horse when we bought him.

Replays and analysis from Saturday's action at Musselburgh

"My assistant always thought he would be suited to stepping up to one and half miles. I tried him over the longer distance at Meydan because there was nothing else suitable."

The Group Three Ormonde Stakes at Chester on May 5 has been pencilled in for Enemy’s next outing.

Zarzyni back in the groove

Zarzyni found the winning thread again in the 5f handicap after finishing runner-up in his last four outings.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the 13-2 chance, ridden by Ben Curtis, defied the unfavourable number one stall to defeat Justanotherbottle by three-quarters of a length.

Fine Wine, backed into 7-2 from an overnight price of 15-2, tried to make all but faded to finish half a length further back in third.

Winning joint-trainer David Barron said: "He should have won last time, I really don’t know how he got beaten.

"He’s a horse with a big engine but also has plenty of character. I’d much rather have one like that than a perfect gentleman who is slow."

Johnston joy to be proved wrong

Charlie Johnston was happy to admit he was wrong over the stamina requirements of Spirit Catcher after the colt’s victory in the Royal Mile Handicap.

The 7-2 favourite managed to peg back the front-running Dirtyoldtown inside the final furlong to prevail by half a length.

Spirit Catcher (orange cap) narrowly holds on to win the Royal Mile handicapCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I have to admit defeat on this. I thought he might not stay but it appears he needs this trip and maybe even further," said Johnston.

"He’s a highly strung horse and it was a worry with him again beforehand. Then in the race itself he missed the break, so in the circumstances he’s done very well."

Superb Scott

Katie Scott has just 20 horses in her yard in the Scottish Borders and she was delighted to pluck a big prize away from the more powerful yards when Gweedore gamely held on in the 7f handicap.

"I thought he might have just needed the run and it’s nice to be proved wrong," she said. "We took him to Newcastle for a gallop and that’s clearly put him right."

Read this next:

'Perfect Power will have a better chance at Longchamp than Newmarket'

GET READY FOR THE 2022 FLAT SEASON WITH OUR BRILLIANT STABLE TOUR SERIES

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club! Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price! Subscribe now If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter