Red Verdon rolls back the years in Coral Marathon at Sandown

By Graham Clark

Red Verdon rolled back the years to open his account for the season when coming from last to first to secure victory in the Listed Coral Marathon.

Without a win in a dozen races since landing a Group Two at Paris-Longchamp last July, the evergreen eight year old set the record straight when scoring over two miles for the first time.

Anchored at the rear of the field for most of the race the 8-1 chance still had to pass all three of his rivals turning into the home straight for the final time.

Travelling strongly into contention under a patient ride from Ryan Moore, the Lemon Drop Kid gelding forged his way between rivals to pass long-time leader The Grand Visir just outside the final furlong pole before pulling away late on to prevail by a length and a half in the familiar colours of Ronnie Arculli.

Winning trainer Ed Dunlop said: “He has probably won a stakes race nearly every year. With the greatest respect to the others, I thought his price of 8-1 was insulting. I’m thrilled for him. It was on the slow side but he has proved he can handle this hill and conditions like it.

“I left the tactics to the jockey as he knows how to do it around here and he has done for years! I said to him ‘take your time’. I thought we were in trouble but they went hard in bad ground and they stopped a little bit in front.

“We were in the Northumberland Plate and we chose not to go for that and come here. We did have the race he won at York last year in mind next week. We will see how he is but he would have to be in exceptional form to run again that quickly.

“His optimum trips are a mile and six to two miles. He is in the Ebor and we could consider it.”

Marco Ghiani celebrated riding out his claim in emphatic style after debutant Sonny Liston delivered a knockout blow to his rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Stakes.

The Charlie Hills-trained Lawman colt, who is named after the 1960s world heavyweight boxing champion, looked a potential star in the making in the seven furlong contest under Ghiani, who lost his claim after riding his 95th winner at Great Yarmouth yesterday (Thursday).

Racing widest of all the 18-1 chance swooped to the front inside the final quarter of a mile before finding plenty in front to score by an impressive five and a half lengths.

Hills said: “It was really quite something. He was a bit green before the race as he was a bit noisy in the paddock. He hasn’t done anything amazing at home but whatever he has done he has done well. It is nice when you get results like this.

“It is a great syndicate (Chelsea Thoroughbreds) and we have these nice races coming up so we will have a look at them.

“He would get a mile and I imagine he would get a mile and a quarter next year. He has got a nice pedigree. We will take each day as it comes and see how we go.”

Fearby romped to a five length victory in the opening race at Sandown Park today (Friday 2nd July), day one of the Coral Summer Festival, to give Edward Bethell his first winner at Sandown Park as a trainer.

The win was only the 10th of Bethell’s short career and his biggest victory to date. The 27 year old took over training responsibilities from his father James at their Middleham yard earlier this year.

A 13-2 chance, Fearby and jockey PJ McDonald drew well clear of their rivals in the Listed five furlong Coral Dragon Stakes for two year olds to beat Mojomaker (10-3) into second and the well-backed favourite, Kazoo (15-8), into third.

Afterwards Bethell said: “That was brilliant. He is a bonny little horse - he is going to grow a bit but I’m delighted and I couldn’t be any more than that.

“I came here hopeful that he would run a nice race. His work early in the spring had been brilliant then he came alive before he went to Newcastle, which was a very good race, then he duly obliged at Wetherby.

“He has improved since then and he had actually been working with Moss Gill’s lead horse as that is how fast I thought he was.

“I’m surprised how far he won but not surprised that he won I guess. The second (from his Wetherby) race went and won so I was quietly confident that we would run a big race.”

Asked if he had imagined his training career would blossom so soon, he replied: “No, is the honest answer! The team at home have done a wonderful job. I’ve a lovely young team of people who work day in day out and as everyone says, and it is probably a bit boring, but I would be nowhere without them.”

Bethell admitted he would consider Fearby’s Goodwood options, adding: “I’m going to take him home and see how he is and think about it. But there is a race closer to home that might look a bit better for him closer to home over six furlongs called the Gimcrack.

“I will take my time and see as he has started to grow a lot in the last two weeks. I will take him home and see what the owners would like to do.”