Breeders' Cup winner Yibir beaten again as Highland Chief shocks in Man o'War

Breeders' Cup Turf winner Yibir failed to get back on track in the Man o'War Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, managing only third of the five runners under William Buick for Charlie Appleby.

Highland Chief, previously with the Coles in Wantage but now trained by Graham Motion for Fitri Hay, came out on top and finished a length clear of dual Grade 1 winner Gufo.

The Godolphin-owned Yibir was sent off as favourite but was unable to make much of an impact after a slow start, and Appleby, who made the trip over to America, explained why.

He said: "The turf was a little bit on the slower side of where he likes to hear his feet rattle. It blunted his acceleration slightly, but you can't take anything away from the winner.

"We ran our race, but in an ideal world if you asked me what I'd like to have had, it would be no rain."

Highland Chief: has previously won at Royal AscotCredit: Pool (Megan Ridgwell)

It was the third defeat in a row for Yibir since his storming Breeders' Cup win at Del Mar in November. He finished second to Living Legend in the Jockey Club Stakes last month, when sent off an even hotter favourite, having been a neck runner-up to Shahryar in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.

Highland Chief won the Golden Gates Handicap for Paul and Oliver Cole at Royal Ascot in 2020 and was striking on just his second start for his new trainer.

He finished fifth to Pyledriver in the 2021 Coronation Cup at Epsom when last seen on British soil.

Motion said: "He had won at Royal Ascot and had some back class. He's run against some good horses but I can't tell you that I knew he was this good."

Henderson and Elliott fail to score

Also on Saturday in the US, the Nicky Henderson-trained Pistol Whipped finished second to Snap Decision in the Calvin Houghland Iroquois Hurdle Stakes at Percy Warner Park.

Pistol Whipped: finished second in AmericaCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Seven Barrows stable jockey Nico de Boinville flew over to take the ride but the pair were no match for the winner, who scored by seven and a quarter lengths.

Gordon Elliott failed to make it win number six on American soil as Burn The Evidence was likewise second in the Margaret Currey Henley Hurdle Stakes on the same card.

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