Mighty Gurkha continued his excellent record on the All-Weather with a tenacious front-running success in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Conditions Stakes over 1200m at Kempton Park on Monday evening.
The Sepoy colt, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle, is now assured of a start in the Ladbrokes All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championship at Lingfield Park on Finals Day, Good Friday, April 2.
Mighty Gurkha (blinkers) outbattles Zamaani
Mighty Gurkha (11/4) was able to dictate from the outset under a 5lb penalty, with the well-backed 13/8 favourite Zamaani (Simon & Ed Crisford/Jack Mitchell) in second and the unbeaten Bravado (Mark Johnston/Joe Fanning) in a share of third.
All four of his rivals were within striking distance as Mighty Gurkha increased the tempo at the top of the straight. Zamaani appeared to be coming with a winning run, briefly heading the leader at the furlong pole, but Mighty Gurkha rallied gamely under the Doyle drive to regain the advantage close home. The margin of victory was a neck, with Bravado a length and a half further back in third.
Mighty Gurkha had a penalty thanks to his triumph in the Gr3 Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Sirenia Stakes over the course and distance in September. His overall record on the All-Weather now stands at three wins and a second from four starts.
Doyle said: “It was an excellent performance. He pinged the gates and I thought ‘happy days’ because I was in front of the Johnston horse and able to get an easy enough lead for the first half of the race.
“Jack Mitchell took me on early enough and we did get into a bit of a battle. I was actually headed a furlong out and thought I was beat, but Mighty Gurkha stuck his neck out and ran really well to the line.
“I felt I would take all the beating once I had the position to control the race, and he has shown a great attitude to get his head back in front. If anything, I think being headed probably helped me out because if he had been in front the whole way, he may have wandered around.”
