'She was well backed by somebody' - 9-4 Thirsk winner rewards heavy support

Saturday: Thirsk

Eternal Class landed a touch for someone by making a heavily backed winning debut in the 5f maiden – but not her owner who stressed: "I don't gamble."

The two-year-old, who was bought for €270,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale in May, was backed from 10-1 just before 10am into 9-4 favourite at the off.

The Karl Burke-trained filly rewarded her backers with a smooth performance, scoring by a comfortable length and a half under Danny Tudhope in the Clipper Logistics colours of Steve Parkin.

"That was very nice," Parkin said. "I was happy with that. She was well backed by somebody, but I don't gamble so it's not my money.

"Everybody said this morning when I walked through the gates, 'Your horse must be fancied if you're here'. We fancied her a little bit but it looked quite a hot race on paper.

"She did it really well. There's not a lot of her so we'll mind her. Danny said she was very quick and very professional."

Parkin, who won the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot with Dramatised, has no immediate plan for Eternal Class and said: "We'll see how she comes out of the race and let Karl decide what we do with her.

Dramatised: Queen Mary winner could be bound for the LowtherCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"She has an entry in the Lowther but we might have something better for that in Dramatised. She's improved again, they tell me. Danny sat on her the other day and he rang laughing and smiling so that suggests she's done something good."

Sky Bet Lowther Stakes card

In a good state

After riding a four-timer at Newcastle last weekend, Ben Robinson made it another Saturday to remember by landing the feature William Hill Summer Cup on Empirestateofmind.

"You can't complain when you're riding winners," he said. "He did it nicely in the end. I probably got there soon enough but he got the job done anyway."

The winner had finished second at Newcastle and owner Ross Harmon said: "He bumped into one last Saturday and he deserved that, he's so consistent. This is a very nice race to win."

Replays, results and analysis

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