Kihavah edges out Aimeric for Queen’s Cup success

Kihavah took full advantage of getting “a dream run” up the rails when claiming a game success in the £100,000 Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh.

Adrian Keatley’s admirable dual-purpose performer was second in last year’s Ebor and finished third behind Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle over timber.

He was well beaten in last week’s Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr but bounced back to form on the Flat to make it nine career victories under both codes.

P J McDonald initially appeared to be stuck behind Struth two furlongs out, but when that runner moved off the rails before backpedalling, opportunity knocked.

McDonald wasted no time in driving his mount through the gap and Kihavah (7-1) battled on bravely to edge out Aimeric by a head, with Loughville another neck back in third and 2023 winner Wise Eagle fourth.

“Adrian just told me take your time, be brave – and honestly, this horse has got guts,” McDonald said on ITV.

“I was second on him in the Ebor, I won on him at Ayr (in September) and a child could ride him, he is an absolute legend.

“But it’s a funny game, yesterday at Newcastle I got absolutely no luck up the inside, finished pretty much on the bridle (on Tuco Salamanca), and today I’ve got a dream run the whole way up the inner. It’s worked out perfect.

“Horses like this, they don’t come along that often, you know. This lad switches from jumps, back to the Flat, back jumping and he’s a credit to the lads in the yard and Adrian.

“I’m just glad to be able to ride him because he’s one of those horses that when you see yourself jocked up on him in the week, you can go happy days because you know you’re in for a great spin – win, lose or draw!”