Trawlerman digs deep for Lonsdale Cup glory

Trawlerman confirmed himself as the standout performer in the staying division in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.

John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old won the Ebor on the Knavesmire three years ago and remained unbeaten on home soil this season with a performance that may have been less conclusive than his Gold Cup romp, but equally impressive in the manner in which he professionally repelled his rivals.

Unable to get his own way at the front this time with Aidan O’Brien’s Shackleton alongside throughout the majority of the early exchanges, William Buick pushed his mount along entering the home straight and asked for him to showcase the stamina that is his forte.

Unlike at Royal Ascot when the 5-6 favourite left his rivals trailing, they were queuing up in his slipstream this time around but Trawlerman showed his relentless staying power to gallop on to the line and lead home a Clarehaven one-two, with well-backed stablemate Sweet William a length and a quarter adrift in second.

Trawlerman was made the 6-4 favourite from 2-1 with Coral for the Qipco Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day with his handler suggesting that would be his next target.