Backhurst lands the old 1-2 in BetGoodwin Sprint decider

CUTABOVETHEREST, whose four previous sprint victories had all come in D2 grade at former base Hove, completed an unbeaten run through the event to land the £3,000 BetGoodwin Maiden Sprint final over 253m at Oxford.

Leading home a 1-2 for local handler Barrie Backhurst, the 6/4 favourite made a decent start, cleared Cloughtaney Chaz on his inside before the opening bend and was well clear coming out of it after scrimmaging in behind.

Kennelmate Savana Yahoo rode a couple of bumps to go off in pursuit but the winner had flown and came home four and a half lengths to the good in a hand-timed 15.32sec (-10).

Gagas Merry, owned and trained by Robin Jury, proved strongest all-round in the supporting £500 final of the BetGoodwin Stayers over 650m.

Backed from 4/1 into 5/2, she led or disputed with Ballymac Madgie until asserting at the penultimate turn then going on to beat that rival by a length in 39.55sec (-30) with odds-on Eagles Rest just over a length back in third having run a huge race after being very slowly away.