Pastoral Pursuits bags July Cup

Egan steers Pastoral Pursuits past his nearest challenger

Pastoral Pursuits, ridden by John Egan, sprang a 22-1 surprise in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Hughie Morrison's four-year-old got up to take the lead inside the final furlong to beat 40-1 shot Avonbridge.

Etlaala, also a 40-1 outsider, was third as all the fancied runners were left trailing in the Group One sprint over six furlongs.

Soldier's Tale, one of the 4-1 joint favourites for the race, stayed on to finish fourth.

"I knew two and a half down that he was going to win," Egan commented. "I can't believe he travelled so well in a Group One, it was amazing."

A delighted Morrison said: "We always thought he was a bloody good horse and he proved it today.

"He didn't have a hard race at York in the Queen Anne, he slipped on the ground and just never found his footing, but it's a credit to the horse that he could come back to run here.

"It's unbelievable. I can't believe it. I have to thank all my staff, especially my assistant Gerry Gracey, who said to me that we should run him and that we would win a Group One."

July Cup:
1. Pastoral Pursuits (J F Egan) 22-1
2. Avonbridge (S Drowne) 40-1
3. Etlaala (R Hills) 40-1
19 ran
4-1 Jt Fav Soldier's Tale, Somnus
Non runner: 6