'Grand old horse' Raymond Tusk ends two-year drought with Doncaster success

Sunday: Doncaster

Raymond Tusk proved his ability still remains after he won for the first time in two years in the 1m4f conditions stakes.

The Alan King-trained seven-year-old drew effortlessly clear under Martin Harley, pulling four lengths away from the Richard Hannon-trained Sir Rumi.

King said: "It looked terrific, didn't it! I'm delighted with him, obviously he's been a little disappointing over hurdles but he's been in very good form.

"Sometimes these older horses, once they've had a spin or two over hurdles and they come back to the Flat, you find it's improved them a little bit."

Raymond Tusk has mixed it at the highest level, placing at Royal Ascot for King and competing at Group level when previously with Hannon.

"He's still rated 104 and he's been a grand old horse really," King added. "Although he didn't win last year, he was second at Royal Ascot, second at York, and he's always shown that his ability is still there.

"We will go home and think about what to do next, he doesn't want the ground too firm, so I haven't decided what to do."

A New Dawn

Dawn Of Liberation broke his maiden on his seasonal debut after failing in three attempts to get his head in front as a two-year-old.

The Richard Hannon-trained colt dropped in distance to win the second division of the 7f novice stakes under Sean Levey, pulling away from Mount Athos by three lengths.

It marked a winning start to an ambitious three-year-old campaign for the son of Churchill, who holds an entry for the 2,000 Guineas at the end of April.

Results, replays and analysis

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