FOURTH RACE - totesport INTERNATIONAL STAKES

Hills Takes International

Dabbers Ridge could be heading to York for his next outing after taking the lucrative seven-furlong handicap, worth £150,000, at odds of 12/1 under Michael Hills by a neck from the fast-finishing Uhoomagoo. The four-year-old finished over eight lengths 12th behind Cesare over a mile in the Royal Hunt Cup at the course on his last start, but trainer Barry Hills intends to stick to seven furlongs, with the Knavesmire the next stop. Hills reported: He will run in the City Of York Stakes over seven furlongs because I am certain he is better over that trip than a mile. While I wouldn not rule out Goodwood, it is more unlikely than likely. I am sure the ground is quicker today than yesterday and he would like a bit more ease. If it had rained I might have considered backing him.

Winning rider, Michael Hills, who kept his mount to the stands side form his 12 draw, revealed: He is pretty straightforward and broke great from the gate. I knew New Seeker (in stall nine) had pace so I decided to track him and go where he went. If anything, we hit the front too soon and he idled, but he went again when the other horse came to him. He did not quite get the mile when he came here for the Royal Meeting. I rode to reserve him  that day and it did not suit him because he likes to be up with the pace. I think that, for the moment, seven furlongs is his optimum, but with age he could possibly get a mile.

Asked about the draw, Hills said: My main worry was the ground drying as he likes his toe in. I could see the four drawn high but if you are where the pace is you have got a chance of winning. Sponsors totesport have shortened Dabbers Ridge to 14/1 from 25/1 for the totesport Mile at Goodwood next week, while William Hill go 10/1 from 25/1, and he is available at 14/1 from 25/1 with Stan James and 16/1 from 33/1 with Paddy Power.
 
Eight-year-old Uhoomagoo, winner of the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot, ran another game race to go down by a neck to Dabbers Ridge in the totesport International Handicap. He is amazing,said the runner-ups trainer Kevin Ryan. I thought that he was on a stiff enough mark today but he loves it here and loves the big occasions.

Neil (Callan) said that he was always thought he was going to get there, and I thought he would half a furlong out, but the winner just kept finding a bit more. He will go to Galway for the 100,000 euro race he won last year and Daragh ODonohoe will ride.He thrives on racing and does not do an awful lot at home where my daughter rides him out.

Richard Hannon, trainer of third-placed Marching Song, said: He Has run a super race. He will probably be out again quite quickly - there is a classified race that looks suitable for him at Goodwood on Wednesday (the Links of London EBF Classified Stakes, 7f) - see you there!

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