Percussionist wins Yorkshire Cup

Percussionist (centre) wins from Sergeant Cecil (right)

Darryll Holland rode Percussionist to a narrow victory in the showpiece Yorkshire Cup on the final day of York's May meeting.

The 9-1 chance pipped Sergeant Cecil (9-2) by three lengths over the 1m 6f trip on soft ground on the Knavesmire.

Orcadian (7-1), ridden by Neil Callan, came in six lengths back in third with 11-4 favourite Kastoria fourth.

Day Flight was a non-runner, while Godolphin's poor season continued with The Geezer and Cherry Mix tailing off.

Kerrin McEvoy and Cherry Mix made all the early running from Orcadian and Frankie Dettori's mount The Geezer.

What a training performance that is, he's had a long lay-off Percussionist's jockey Darryll Holland

Holland eased the Howard Johnson-trained Percussionist, runner-up to Franklins Gardens last year, to the front just before the start of the back straight.

And despite a valiant effort from Sergeant Cecil, the five-year-old Percussionist was too tough.

"What a training performance that is, he's had a long lay-off," said Holland. "He was travelling better than anything turning in and he travelled well throughout - and when it's testing you've got to keep hold of these horses heads.

"When I asked him though he picked up well and outstayed them. I thought the second ran a wonderful race and he would be seen to better effect on good ground.

"I love these Cup races and they have been good to me over the years. I won this on Franklins Gardens last year and of course I used to ride Double Trigger as well."

Meanwhile at Newbury, Scottish Stage, the 4-6 favourite ridden by Ryan Moore, won the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes, a reliable yardstick for the Oaks.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly held off the fast-finishing 33-1 shot Guilia in a photo finish with Richard Hills on Makderah (9-2) in third, two-and-a-half lengths adrift.

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Emirates Airlines Yorkshire Cup
Group 2, 1m 6f
1 Percussionist (D Holland) 9-1
2 Sergeant Cecil (A Munro) 9-2
3 Orcadian (N Callan) 7-1
7 ran. Dist: 3, 6

Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes
1m 2f
1 Scottish Stage (R L Moore) 4-6 Fav
2 Guilia (S Drowne) 33-1
3 Makderah (R Hills) 9-2
10 ran. Dist: Hd, 2 1/2