Consistent Al Qareem bags another big prize

Al Qareem shone on the Knavesmire with an impressive success in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes.

Karl Burke and Nick Bradley Racing’s reliable six-year-old was a 9-2 chance under Clifford Lee, with Willie Mullins’ 2023 Ebor winner Absurde the even-money favourite having travelled over from Ireland.

It was those two who did battle from a long way out as the Listed event reached a crucial stage, but Al Qareem is not a horse to shy away from a battle and he put his head down to pull clear and prevail by four and a half lengths.

“He’s so honest, he’s a very sound horse and he just does it every time you ask him to,” said Burke.

“When the favourite came looming up I had a smile on my face, the commentator was saying the favourite was coming after him but you know he’s going to fight for it.

“I think he’ll be handicapped out of the Ebor, but the Irish St Leger and the Curragh Cup, especially the Irish St Leger, could be very interesting.

“It’s on a lovely, big, galloping track (Curragh) and he stays that one-mile-six (furlongs) so well. They are the two races we’ll be looking at.”