Ebor Handicap: Daiquiri Bay wins at York in three-way sprint finish

Daiquiri Bay edged out Hopewell Rock and Opportunity in a three-way sprint finish to win the Ebor Handicap at York.

The 10-1 shot came up the nearside rails to beat a 22-strong field and win the lion’s share of the £500,000 prize fund.

George Boughey’s Hopewell Rock (13-2) was given second place in a photo finish, with the William Haggas-trained Opportunity (14-1) in third.

Winning jockey Rossa Ryan said the race went exactly according to the plan set out by trainer Alan King to claim victory in Europe’s richest handicap.

“That’s three wins this year, you can’t really fault him,” Ryan told ITV Sport.

“We have had a good year with this lad and luckily we have been able to plan him out.

“Alan has had zero hiccups with him and the man’s a genius. We plotted a course for this lad in April and he hasn’t missed a beat.”

Daiquiri Bay enjoyed a comeback win at Newmarket before the four-year-old gelding went on to win another major handicap, the Copper Horse Stakes, at Royal Ascot in June.

“I can’t believe it really,” said winning trainer King. “A great ride from Rossa. [I’m] blown away. It’s been the plan since after Ascot.

“He had a tough race at Ascot, we broke the track record, so we were able to give him a little break and build him up.

“The preparation has gone great, the rain came, I always thought he would be better with a bit of slower ground but it’s a very special day. It’s what we do the job for.”

Willie Mullins’ clear pre-race favourite Love Me Tender (7-2) finished the one mile six furlong trip back in 10th place.