Bunbury glory for Brae Hill and magic McHugh

Report: Newmarket, Saturday

32Red Bunbury Cup (Handicap) (Class 2) 7f, 3yo+

A BRILLIANT ride by Barry McHugh on the Richard Fahey-trained Brae Hill stole the Bunbury Cup. The pair marauded up the stands' side rail in splendid isolation, coming home a length and three-quarters clear of Excellent Guest.

Brae Hill, drawn in stall two, came up the stands' side rail despite the other 19 runners travelling up the far rail and the middle of the track.

It became apparent at halfway that McHugh had an advantage on the 11-1 shot over the rest of the field, and riding almost as if in a piece of work, McHugh asked his mount to quicken just over two furlongs from home.

As the pair reached the rising ground inside the final furlong and a half it was obvious they still held their advantage and Brae Hill battled on gamely to reward a brave piece of jockeyship.

Both jockey and trainer felt that racing alone may help Brae Hill. On his exquisite ride, McHugh said: "Richardsaid leave it up to me, but there's no bias - I just went the quickest route.

"I knew they [the rest of the field] would go that way, but I didn't want to burn up going across so I saved a bit. I took a pull and he's probably better on his own - he settles."

Fahey added: "We walked the track and thought if one horse could do it on his own it'd be him. It's the shortest way and we were able to sit on him. I didn't tell the owners the plan and if it all went wrong I could have blamed Barry!"

Excellent Guest, who also filled the runner-up position behind Manassas at Royal Ascot, was second at 11-1, with 18-1 shot Fathsta in third. Mr David took fourth at 33-1.