Richard Hannon landed another major two-year-old prize when Zebedee got up close home to beat Stone Of Folca and Choose Wisely in the Betfair Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Settled towards the rear by an ultra-confident Richard Hughes, he had plenty of ground to make up but had his main market rival, the keen-going Stone Of Folca, well within his sights.
Kevin Ryan’s Choose Wisely was still in front half a furlong out but Stone Of Folca went past on his inside before Hughes produced the 2-1 favourite to win cosily by a neck and a head.
A delighted Hughes said: “That’s what it’s all about. “The first day he ever won at Windsor I felt him pull up with me and he only won by half a length.
“I said to the boss afterwards that this horse needed holding up and the only day we didn’t was at Royal Ascot – and that was the boss’s fault!
“It was worth having a go but it didn’t work, so we dropped him in today.”
Winning owner Julie Wood added: “Richard wanted to drop him in today after he was fully exposed at Ascot and had to run his own race from the front.
“It’s a bit heart-stopping. You think he’s going to get there and when he does it’s great, but when there’s only half a furlong to go and he’s still tucked in your heart’s in your mouth.”
Hannon said: “I’m going to have a heart attack if Hughesie keeps riding for me!
“When he went to Windsor first time he went off odds-on favourite, the whole world knew about him.
“He is just one of those horses that keeps improving and I think there is more to come.
“The horse has got a lot of options and I’ll have to see which of the sales races he’s entered in, but he could well go for the Gimcrack Stakes at York.
“We’ll hold him up again and he’ll get the six furlongs.”
John Best said of Stone Of Folca: “We thought it was going to be a real fast pace but they didn’t go quick enough for us and he fought hard early.
“There was only him and Zebedee travelling and I could always see him cruising in behind us. He is another Hannon special.
“I think the Nunthorpe is still the target as he only has 8st 1lb in it and they will go a proper pace which will allow us to relax. We must go there with a chance as he has so much speed.”
Kevin Ryan said of third-placed Choose Wisely: “His owner is keen to go for the Nunthorpe, but I think we will head to the Gimcrack as I believe six furlongs will suit him.”