Thrilling Victories: Katate Dori Dominates Ladbrokes Trophy, Forever Young Claims Saudi Cup in Nail-Biter
Katate Dori secures a commanding win at the Ladbrokes Trophy, while Forever Young narrowly defeats Romantic Warrior in a dramatic Saudi Cup showdown.
Katate Dori Triumphs at Ladbrokes Trophy Chase
Katate Dori delivered a stunning performance at Kempton, clinching the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase with a decisive 15-length victory. Ridden by jockey Charlie Deutsch, the 7-year-old gelding outpaced the 11-4 favorite Hyland, leaving the Grand National hopeful trailing in his wake.
Race Highlights:
- Distance Won By: 15 lengths
- Recent Form: Third win in four runs this year
- Key Moments: Katate Dori surged ahead of Beachcomber with four fences remaining, showcasing exceptional stamina and determination.
Charlie Deutsch praised his mount's resilience: "He’s a really brave horse. I thought I might get outpaced at the start, but he winged the fences down the back straight and got to the front nicely. The ground was testing, but he stayed on beautifully."
Forever Young Edges Out Romantic Warrior in Saudi Cup
In Riyadh, the £16m Saudi Cup witnessed a thrilling finish as Japan's Forever Young narrowly defeated Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior by a neck. This marked Forever Young's second consecutive win on dirt, while Romantic Warrior made his debut on the surface in the world’s most lucrative race.
Race Dynamics:
- Key Moment: James McDonald aboard Romantic Warrior seemed poised for victory before Forever Young surged in the final strides under Ryusei Sakai.
- Final Placings: Forever Young (1st), Romantic Warrior (2nd), Ushba Tesoro (3rd)
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi acknowledged Romantic Warrior’s strength but emphasized his horse’s superiority on the day: "Romantic Warrior is a formidable opponent, but our horse was better today."
Notable Mentions
- Katate Dori’s Co-Owner Dai Walters: Reflects on his recovery from a 2022 helicopter crash and celebrates the win. "My back is a bit sore, but I’m happy. We’ve worked hard for this."
- Hyland’s Performance: Despite a slow start, the 11-4 favorite finished second, showcasing his potential for the upcoming Grand National.
- Knockanore’s Win: The 16-1 shot dominated the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle, winning by 16 lengths.
Disqualification Updates
Your Own Story, who initially finished fifth, was disqualified after jockey Patrick Wadge failed to weigh in post-race.
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