Fifth Column (22/1) completed a treble for Godolphin on Qatar Racing British Champions Day as he landed the concluding Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By Qatar Racing), adding to the wins of Talk Of New York and Ombudsman.
Trained like Ombudsman by John & Thady Gosden, the four-year-old son of Kingman was 16th in this race 12 months ago but, off a 3lb lower mark and with a first-time visor applied, he powered home to score by three-quarters of a length from Indalo (16/1).
In a race where the near side group dominated, the third Ebt’s Guard (11/1) made the frame again in another major handicap, with 4/1 favourite Scoville taking fourth.
William Buick, in the saddle for all three winners, said: “I knew I came here today with good rides. The two main ones won, while this lad had the form in the book if things went right.
“I was probably closer to the group on the far side, and I just saw Rab [Havlin on Gavriel] in the corner of my eye. I thought, ‘he is one of the horses to beat’, so I stayed over there. Our group was always ahead, and I was in a position where I was able to fill this lad up and give him a bit of confidence.
“He is a bit of a confidence horse, and this is a lovely prize for him to win. He had the visor on for the first time, and he has been pencilled in for this, so it is great to get the job done.
“It is a young crowd here today, it is packed, and it is a great atmosphere. This is what racing is all about – top-class and competitive racing. We have seen some absolute world beaters out on the track, and it is lovely to see, and lovely that people are having a good time. Days like today make you realise what a great industry, or sport, we are in.”
He added: “After we jumped, we split into two groups, and I saw a lot of the fancied runners on the stands’ side. The speed was good there, so I joined them and got a nice tail. That took me to the furlong pole, and I was able to fill him up. Essentially, he won well in the end.
“Champions Day is a fantastic day’s racing, with a big crowd, a young crowd, a good atmosphere and a good day to go with it. I am really pleased. These meetings are hard to ride winners at, so you have to enjoy it.”
Thady Gosden said: “We made a slight change to his headgear this time. He usually wears cheekpieces, but we switched them for the visor today. He travelled very well, and William gave him a brilliant ride – his third brilliant ride of the day.
“It is a privilege to train these horses for Godolphin and His Highness [Sheikh Mohammed]. For them to be winning on big days like this is what it is all about.”