Luca Cumani's Mizzou wins Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot
Wednesday 29 April 2015 16:17, UK
Luca Cumani's Mizzou gained a first pattern race success when breaking the track record in the Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.
The four-year-old had shown progressive form in 2014, winning three of his first four starts before being beaten a head at this track in Listed company over a mile and six furlongs.
Stepped up in class and trip for his seasonal reappearance, his task was made easier with five non-runners from the Group Three after the forecast rain failed to arrive at the track.
Favourite Pallasator also failed to fire on his seasonal reappearance but the 4/1 chance found plenty when asked to pick up from the rear by William Buick and galloped all the way to the line.
He was chased home by Vent De Force, another progressive stayer, and connections of the runner-up may have been bemoaning an incident around one and a half from home when squeezed up by the winner.
There was two lengths between the pair at the line with a further length and a quarter back to Forever Now who had cut out much of the running.
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![Log Out Island]()
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![Log Out Island]()
Image: Pulling impressively clear of the field -
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Image: Conditions aren't so clement at Punchestown where racegoers have left their footprints after a heavy hailstorm -
![Sperry]()
Image: Sperry sees off Touchline to win the Retraining of Racehorses & Horseback UK EBF Stallions Stakes -
![Forever Now]()
Image: And they're off for the Longines Sagaro Stakes -
![Mizzou]()
Image: Mizzou went on to win in a new course record time -
![Vent De Force]()
Image: Chased home by the progressive Vent De Force -
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Image: Drama at Punchestown as Matthew Bowes is unseated by Waydownsouth during the Martinstown Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle -
![Shamiran]()
Image: Shamiran goes on to take the spoils at a price -
![Lisa O'Brien, from Virginia, Co. Cavan, adjusts her makeup]()
Image: Lisa O'Brien, from Virginia, Co. Cavan, adjusts her makeup -
![Limato]()
Image: Limato retains his unbeaten record in the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes -
![Tendu (r)]()
Image: Tendu (r) chases them home, winning the race on his side -
![Walk To Freedom (right)]()
Image: Walk To Freedom (right) and Robbie Power go on to win the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle -
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Image: But not everyone is delighted with the result -
![Moohaarib]()
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Image: Killultagh Vic and Paul Townend win the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle -
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Image: Paul Carberry riding Don Cossack (L) clear the last to win The Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup -
![NAAS, IRELAND - APRIL 29: A delighted Paul Carberry after riding Don Cossack to win The Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup at Punchestow]()
Image: A delighted Paul Carberry -
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Image: Paul Carberry celebrates in style -
![Jockey Paul Carberry (right) and trainer Gordon Elliott celebrates winning the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup on Don Cossack during]()
Image: Gordon Elliott and Carberry with the trophy -
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Image: Bellshill wins the Grade One bumper in fine style -
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Image: Ballyadam Approach ridden by David Splaine wins the Guinness Handicap Chase -
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Image: Champers on Ice - a fitting winner of the finale
After seeing Mizzou break the two-mile track record, the winning trainer's wife, Sara Cumani, said: "He's a lovely horse and Luca has always had a lot of faith in him. He's been telling everyone over the winter that this is his Ascot Gold Cup horse.
"William (Buick) said he would not want the ground any livelier. They went a decent a pace and that suited him.
"He's a really kind, genuine, honest horse.
"He will go to Sandown now for the Henry II Stakes and then to the Gold Cup."
