Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy doubled up at Wolverhampton on Saturday as they landed the Listed BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes with Cool Hoof Luke and the BetMGM Lincoln Trial with The Lost King.
Cool Hoof Luke went to the front from the widest draw in stall eight and, despite pulling hard in the early stages, always looked in command as he repelled the improving Heathcliff by half a length.
The winner defeated three future G1 winners when taking the G2 Gimcrack Stakes in 2024, although he was subsequently sidelined for 526 days until his comeback third in the Listed Midnite Kachy Stakes at Lingfield Park in January.
Murphy said: “Cool Hoof Luke does not want to make the running, but I did not want to sit last because I felt we would not go that fast. Ideally, he was going to be second or third with cover. The horse did really well to save enough and never switched to his outside lead in the straight, so I think there is more to come.
“Before he won the Gimcrack Stakes, Andrew ran him in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood because we felt he would get seven, although I made the running and went too fast. I was worried about repeating the error, but I got away with it.
“He is a beautiful model and that was only his second run back after a year and a half off, so it was an excellent performance. Andrew will have a think about what is next for him, but he is a four-year-old now and, as long as he stays healthy, he has a bright future.”
The BetMGM Lincoln Trial can serve as a pointer to the Mile final, with the first three home in The Lost King, First Principle and Two Tempting all likely to reoppose at Newcastle. Following his length and a quarter success, The Lost King has been raised 5lb to 97.
Murphy said: “The Lost King is a nice horse to ride, particularly going left-handed. The race set up well and I am glad it worked out. Today he was a gentleman – he did not get excited in the prelims and was good in the gate.
“He has beaten some quality horses there. Cieren Fallon let First Principle slide and then filled him up down the back. He caught us on the hop a bit turning in, but my horse is lightly raced and still improving.
“The Lost King could potentially go for the Mile final now, although Andrew will discuss it with Alastair Donald and the King Power team.”
French star No Lunch could line up against The Lost King at Newcastle following another impressive victory at Chantilly. Trainer Christophe Ferland said afterwards that connections will make a decision on his participation once they have seen the weights and opposition.
Marco Botti’s Italian import Gaeli caused a 25/1 shock on his British debut as he readily defeated 2024 Sprint final victor Fivethousandtoone in a five-furlong handicap at Southwell. Now rated 102, the five-year-old could be a name to follow on the turf.
