Class came to the fore in the Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup as Gr2 winner Flight Plan (8/1) denied former 2,000 Guineas runner-up Hi Royal in the highlight of Thirsk’s season on Saturday.
Both horses were making their handicap debuts off a mark of 102, with Flight Plan lining up after a fourth in the British EBF Michael Foster Conditions Stakes at the course three weeks ago.
With that comeback run under his belt, Flight Plan was given a positive front-running ride by Sam James and the duo had the 13 runners well strung out at the top of the home straight.
Flight Plan continued to find as the chasing pack closed approaching the final furlong, with Hi Royal and La Trinidad emerging as the main dangers.
Both horses challenged on either side of Flight Plan as the winning post loomed but could not get on terms with Karl Burke’s runner, with the distances half a length and a head.
Flight Plan is the highest-rated winner of the Ladbrokes Thirsk Hunt Cup this century, eclipsing 2012 scorer Farhh, who overcame a mark of 100 before going on to win two Gr1 prizes in 2013.
James said: “Flight Plan did it all for me. He has been highly campaigned and we have always thought a lot of him. He has always been a good horse and, dropping down into a handicap, I think he was able to dictate easier than he potentially would in a Group Two or Group Three. That will hopefully have given him some confidence.
“It is a great training performance from Karl. To run him in a conditions race the last day, which was a very hot race, served as a prep run. It is great for the horse’s new owners as well, especially when a plan comes together.
“Thirsk should be very proud of the horses running here today. You have this horse, a Gr2 winner in Ireland, and a Guineas second. There were some top horses running in the race.”
Asked if the Royal Hunt Cup could be a target, James said: “A race like that could be up his street. I will obviously leave it to Karl, but it is just good for him to get his head in front today and hopefully his confidence will grow from here.”
