Love Me Tender was the subject of a huge gamble in 2026. Available to back at 33/1 a little over a week before the race, his odds began to tumble as soon as Willie Mullins revealed he was bound for York. Despite never before racing in a handicap, in Britain, or beyond 1m2f, the Mullins factor saw the ex-French runner start as the 7/2 favourite. Mullins had a strong second string in Mr Hollywood, who arrived on the back of a win over hurdles at the Galway Festival.
In what looked like a good race for the Irish, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Emit sat second in the market. Going in the expert hands of Ryan Moore, the four-year-old had caught the eye when finishing well over 1m4f in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Hailing from the yard of William Haggas, Klassleader was the shortest price of the British challengers. While disappointing on his most recent start at Newmarket, he had previously shown a liking for York when claiming a 1m4f handicap in May.
Following a spectacular time at Goodwood, Wathnan Racing had failed to hit the target over the first three days of the Ebor Festival. They had solid claims of putting that right in the signature handicap. Hopewell Rock looked like the Wathnan second string on jockey bookings but arrived in form following a win in the Summer Handicap, while top-weight Opportunity finished second in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes last time.
Others to note included Tarriance, who represented Andrew Balding and Juddmonte, and the hat-trick-seeking Daiquiri Bay, who carried the hopes of the Alan King team.
Result
- 1st – Daiquiri Bay 10/1, Jockey: Rossa Ryan, Trainer: Alan King
- 2nd – Hopewell Rock 13/2, Jockey: Callum Rodriguez, Trainer: George Boughey
- 3rd – Opportunity 14/1, Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: William Haggas
- 4th – Ascending 28/1, Jockey: Oisin Orr, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £300,000
- 2nd – £89,950
- 3rd – £47,500
- 4th – £25,000
- 5th – £14,300
- 6th – £7,500
- 7th – £4,750
- 8th – £2,850
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £11
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.50, 2nd – £2.35, 3rd – £4.30
- Exacta – £67.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £77.85
- Trifecta – £549.80
- Tricast – £972.57
Recap
With a maximum field of 22, the runners were spread right across the track when the stalls opened. Poetic Sound and market leader Love Me Tender broke best towards the far side, with Burdett Road leading the way among those drawn low.
Former Champion Hurdle runner-up Burdett Road had grabbed the overall lead as the runners turned out of the home straight for the first time, with the field tacking across to the inside rail. Align The Stars, Mister Hollywood, and Real Dream raced just off the lead. Further back, Daiquiri Bay had gained a nice early position tight against the rail, with Hopewell Rock sitting on his heels.
There was little change in the order at the halfway stage, with Burdett Road continuing to bowl along in front. Align The Stars and Real Dream came next, with Spinning Wheel racing prominently on the outer. Emit, Mr Hollywood, and Daiquiri Bay made up the next trio, just ahead of Love Me Tender and Paddy The Squire. Tarriance and the Wathnan duo were around five lengths off the lead but saving ground on the inside.
Despite his 80/1 starting price, Burdett Road continued to lead into the home straight. Opening up a one-length advantage, he moved off the rail to make his bid up the centre of the track. William Buick asked Love Me Tender for more with 4f to go, but the market leader found little under pressure. However, Tarriance, Emit, Opportunity, and Hopewell Rock were emerging as threats on the far side. Daiquiri Bay also caught the eye but needed a gap to open.
Two furlongs from home, Burdett Road still led but was showing signs of tiring. Opportunity was the first to overhaul him as James Doyle struck for home. The run of Tarriance flattened out, but Opportunity was immediately joined by owner-mate Hopewell Rock and Daiquiri Bay, who had found space towards the stands side rail.
Three in a line passing the furlong pole, with Rossa Ryan, Callum Rodriguez, and James Doyle asking for everything. In a pulsating finale, Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay stayed on best to thwart the Wathnan duo, getting up to score by a head from Hopewell Rock, with Opportunity a neck further back in third.
A first win in the race for both Alan King and Rossa Ryan. Daiquiri Bay continued his excellent season, having claimed the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot in June.
Runners
- 1. Opportunity – SP: 14/1, Trainer: William Haggas, Jockey: James Doyle
- 2. Epic Poet – SP: 50/1, Trainer: David O’Meara, Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
- 3. Paradias – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
- 4. Furthur – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 5. Spinning Wheel – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford, Jockey: Mason Paetel
- 6. Tarriance – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Colin Keane
- 7. Mr Hollywood – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Saffie Osborne
- 8. Daiquiri Bay – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 9. Hopewell Rock – SP: 13/2, Trainer: George Boughey, Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
- 10. Emit – SP: 4/1, Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 11. Paddy The Squire – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Iain Jardine, Jockey: Andrew Mullen
- 12. Poetic Sound – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Ger Lyons, Jockey: Gary Carroll
- 13. Align The Stars – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Charlie Johnston, Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
- 14. Burdett Road – SP: 80/1, Trainer: James Owen, Jockey: Harry Davies
- 15. Beylerbeyi – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Ian Williams, Jockey: Clifford Lee
- 16. Stressfree – SP: 50/1, Trainer: David O’Meara, Jockey: Mark Winn
- 17. Klassleader – SP: 5/1, Trainer: William Haggas, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 18. Ascending – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Oisin Orr
- 19. Square Necker – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Kevin Philippart De Foy, Jockey: David Egan
- 20. Real Dream – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Ian Williams, Jockey: Cieren Fallon
- 21. Circus Of Rome – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Richard Hughes, Jockey: Jamie Spencer
- 22. Love Me Tender – SP: 7/2F, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: William Buick
Non-Runners
All ran.