UK: Warrior slays Knavesmire rivals

Sunday, 15 July 2012: Robert Havlin enjoyed a profitable Saturday for the second week running when guiding King's Warrior to a convincing success in the John Smith's Cup at York.

With a glut of good racing at the weekend, Havlin is one of the journeyman jockeys who can pick up rides they would otherwise not get.

And after his Lancashire Oaks triumph on Great Heavens at Haydock a week earlier, he again showed he can do the job when springing a 33-1 surprise on the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained five-year-old.

Towards the rear as the field straightened up for home, Havlin angled his mount towards the far side of the track and he was still full of running heading inside the final couple of furlongs.

King's Warrior  quickly pulled clear to win by four and a half lengths from Mid Mon Lady. Media Hype finished well to be just a head away in third, with Stand To Reason in fourth.

Havlin said: "I think the ground has made the difference. His last two runs have been on fast ground, and Peter said the horse's work had been good. He said to drop in and I was following Mijhaar, but I thought I was going better than him turning in and just did my own thing from then on."

Owner Paul Hancock, a self-employed corporate financier from Brighton, said: "We had him in the Tattersalls Sales on Friday night with the intention of selling him, but Peter rang me on Tuesday and said we can't sell him because the horse was working too well and jumping out of his skin.

"When the trainer says that, it's all you want to hear.

"When he was trained in France by Richard Gibson and Mikel Delzangles, they always thought he was a potential black type horse. He had his conditions, ease in the ground and a fast-run race. That's what he needs. I think it would be mean to get rid of him now."

Hot favourite Mijhaar was travelling nicely before being badly hampered by the weakening Fair Trade about three furlongs out and was almost brought down. His rider Neil Callan said: "I was unlucky. He was travelling quite sweetly. It was unfortunate, but it will be different another day."