The 2000 Guineas winner Bow Echo confirmed the form with Gstaad as the pair battled out the finish in a scintillating renewal of the St James’s Palace Stakes.
It was a messy beginning, as Bow Echo was sandwiched between Gstaad and Talk Of New York. As a result, he was keen early on as Loughnane looked for cover to settle him. Puerto Rico and Power Blue took each other on, setting brisk fractions from the off, enabling Bow Echo to switch off.
As Gstaad switched to the rail, Bow Echo travelled notably strongly on the outside. The pair locked horns late on, but it was Bow Echo who fended off his old foe by a short-head.
Speaking to the Press Association after the race, via Racing TV, winning trainer George Boughey said: “It’s fine margins in this game and luckily he was on the right side of it today.
“I was feeling pretty good a furlong out, but then Ryan started coming back. I did sort of think that Aidan had always said that his horse would get further. So huge credit to the runner-up as he was gallant today.
“I thought Billy gave him a lovely ride, we wanted to be one off the fence. He’s a superstar and luckily he got it done.”
While Boughey was complimentary of the ride, the young Billy Loughnane was critical of his efforts in the saddle. Speaking to ITV Racing after the race, via TDN Europe, Loughnane said: “It was a very tactical race and not my finest ride, but he got me out of trouble. It was a little bit muddling and didn’t work out how I imagined. But he’s got sheer guts and showed how good he is today.”
Aidan O’Brien keen for Bow Echo round three with Gstaad
Without Bow Echo, Gstaad would be a 2000 Guineas, Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace winner. Quite the start to his three year old career. While he’s twice been beaten by Boughey’s mount, O’Brien suggested he may be kept to a mile for now.
“He gets the mile very well” said O’Brien. And we are looking forward to him. We knew he was coming forward all the time and it just was a little bit rough for him early. Ryan was back a little bit further than he wanted to be.
“But as you saw going to the line he was closing and closing. We are over the moon with him.”
When popped the question of the trilogy at Goodwood, O’Brien said: “That’s maybe what we will do. We always thought he was a horse who was going to get further if we ever need to step up. But he does get a mile well obviously.”