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Plumatic
Plumatic wins the Sovereign Stakes. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Plumatic wins the Sovereign Stakes. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Elarqam completes hat-trick of Sovereign flops for Sheikh Hamdan

This article is more than 5 years old

Favourite follows up fine 2,000 Guineas with frustrating race
Trainer Mark Johnston says: ‘Something’s bothering him’

Sheikh Hamdan will presumably seek to avoid next year’s Sovereign Stakes, the biggest event of the year at this Wiltshire track, as Elarqam’s flop on Thursday made it three years in a row that the owner has had the disappointing favourite in the race.

Like Massaat, who carried his famous blue and white colours into last place two years ago, Elarqam started the year with a fine effort in the 2,000 Guineas but now looks a frustrating enigma, having finished fourth as the Sovereign’s even-money favourite.

“Something’s bothering him,” said a deflated Mark Johnston, musing over the defeat as he stood in the paddock a little later. “He walks around here as quiet as a lamb, then the minute he sees those starting stalls he starts to sweat and he’s very much on edge.”

Quick Guide

Horse racing tips for Friday 17 August

Show

Newbury 1.20 Moon King 1.50 Barbarosa (nb) 2.25 Exec Chef 2.55 Saroog 3.30 Swiss Air 4.00 Island Of life 4.35 Alhakmah 5.10 Bayston Hill

Nottingham 1.30 Qutob 2.00 Cale Lan 2.35 Madam Devious 3.05 Peggy McKay 3.40 Dixieland Diva 4.10 Benadalid 4.45 Gumriyah (nap) 5.15 Born To Please

W’hampton 1.40 Ingleby Molly 2.10 Micronize 2.45 Three Little Birds 3.15 Eyelool 3.50 Admiral Spice 4.20 Al Mureib 4.50 Lunar Corona

Newmarket 5.25 Indian Viceroy 5.55 Robero 6.30 Chatham House 7.00 Brigand 7.30 Matewan 8.05 Major Partnership

Catterick 5.40 Bollin Joan 6.10 Capla Gilda 6.40 Aurag 7.10 Alfie’s Angel 7.45 Spirit Ridge 8.15 Perfect Words

Chelmsford 5.50 Lovin 6.20 Anycity 6.50 Race Day 7.20 Queen In Waiting 7.55 Rashadan 8.30 Oakley Mimosa 9.00 Final Choice

Tips by Chris Cook

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Elarqam made the early running and, Johnston reported, gave no initial indication to his jockey, Jim Crowley, that something was amiss, for all that he tended to hang right. “But he just found nothing. So we’ll go home and think again.”

The race was won with a grinding performance by Plumatic, which means André Fabre, 41 years after he started training, has finally tasted success at Salisbury. Johnston, meanwhile, has hit a dry spell with just four winners needed to become the most successful trainer in British racing history.

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