Mark Johnston almost laid claim to permanent ownership of the JP Morgan Goodwood Cup when Double Trigger landed his hat-trick of successes in the two-mile event.
The Middleham trainer yesterday added the name of another of his horses to the roll of honour of the Group Three event when 10 to 1 shot Royal Rebel, ridden by Michael Kinane, slugged out a thrilling half-length success over 2 to 1 favourite Far Cry to land the £36,040 first prize.
As the eight-runner field headed back towards the stands the winner and runner-up joined issue, with the latter getting his head in front three furlongs out.
The two principals were joined by Rainbow High, who looked to have his head in front but as the trio entered the final quarter mile but faded as the winner got his head in front for a lead he was not to relinquish.
Johnston paid tribute to the tenacity of Kinane. "Some jockey, isn't he," said the trainer.
Of the winner Johnston commented: "We thought he was in with a chance but he had to improve on all previous form to figure. He is rated 107, which in Double Trigger's day would not be enough to win a Goodwood Cup.
"He's a very lazy horse who has had so many off days that you can never be quite sure how he will run. But he's never been better than he was today."
Royal Rebel's owner, Peter Savill, described the winner as a "lazy horse who takes a lot of stoking" and revealed why the gelding has been racing in this country on his two previous outings.
"He's had his last couple of runs in Ireland because the stewards are a bit more lenient with the whip rules!
"I travelled back in a plane a few weeks ago with Mick Kinane and asked him if we should go for the Northumberland Plate worth £130,000, which I was leaning towards, or the Group Three Curragh Cup, worth around £30,000. Mick said it depended if I could do a deal with the Newcastle stewards."
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