Lifeplan pounces in Gimcrack for Declan Carroll and Zak Wheatley

A significant step up in class proved no barrier to success for Declan Carroll’s Lifeplan in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York.

A €165,000 yearling purchase in October last year, the Kodi Bear colt made a winning start to his career at Thirsk in late July but faced a far sterner test at Group Two level on the Knavesmire.

Settled in midfield by Zak Wheatley for much of the six-furlong contest, Lifeplan (13-2) found plenty when asked to reel in Rock On Thunder and was a length in front at the line, with 2-1 favourite Do Or Do Not five lengths further behind in third, as he again placed in a Pattern event.

“He’s a very nice horse and he’s always showed that he’s a nice horse,” said Malton-based Carroll.

“I would have liked a bit more juice in the ground, he changed legs once or twice.

“He’s a nice horse to go forward with, you saw how he ran down the leader and we’ve always held him in high regard.

“I thought it was a stiff task after just winning a novice to come into a Group Two, but he is very streetwise.

“We’ll enjoy today. He could be a Guineas horse, I guess, he’s in the Middle Park and that may his next step, but I’d want a bit of ease in the ground coming into the dip at Newmarket.”

A jubilant Wheatley – who is still eligible to claim 3lb – said: “It’s amazing – there’s no feeling like this. To be trusted with him on the track is massive. I look after him every day at home, so I know him well.

“He was a bit keen going down and we had a plan to get a lead, but he jumped smart and came back underneath me after a few strides. It’s a long straight and he really took off at the end.

“I thought at one stage we were struggling to get the runner-up, but this horse is amazing. He’s a beast, that’s got such an engine.”

Of Rock Of Thunder, fellow Malton trainer Kevin Ryan said: “We were a little bit concerned about the ground, that it might be a little bit too quick for him, but he handled it OK.

“He’s jumped, he’s travelled and got up fairly quickly when we went past the two and I thought it was done and dusted.

“But he’s a very good horse, we think an awful lot of him and he’ll have bigger and better days ahead.

“When you get done late on it’s hard, Declan is a friend of mine and I’m delighted for him, but I’m obviously disappointed.

“He’s run great, he’s a young horse and an exciting horse for the future. We got beat and I’m delighted for the connections of the winner.”