'It's got to be the Cheveley Park and Breeders' Cup' - big autumn targets for Celandine after Lowther win

Ballydoyle blitzed their way through the Ebor meeting's Group races on the opening day, but Britain struck back as Celandine finally bloomed with a fine front-running Lowther Stakes display.

No one could lay a glove on Aidan O'Brien in the Acomb, Great Voltiguer and Juddmonte International Stakes on Wednesday and the way Heavens Gate was backed into 15-8 favouritism, many expected Coolmore's domination to continue in the Lowther.

Celandine looked like a sitting duck at the final furlong pole as Heavens Gate, Queen Mary Stakes heroine Leovanni and Time For Sandals all travelled with intent. However, she was not for passing as she held on by a neck from Time For Sandals for a game all-the-way success under Tom Marquand.

"I'm so chuffed. I've not felt a buzz like that for a long time," winning trainer Ed Walker said. "I don't know why but that really got me. She's just so tough in the way she does it. 

"She's so cool and genuine. Tom gets on brilliantly with her and she's properly quick. I got my leg pulled a lot for putting her in the Moyglare, but the Lowther will do!"

Celandine: halved in price for the Cheveley Park StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Owned by Rockcliffe Stud, Celandine was well held in the Prix Robert Papin and Molecomb Stakes on her first two tries in Group races, but Walker was relieved his decision to keep tackling Pattern company proved third-time lucky.

"She disappointed in France and Goodwood, where I really fancied her. I stupidly took on the colts when hunting for fast ground and I was probably overthinking it a bit," he added. "She's so tough, but she got a bit lonely at Goodwood. 

"We had to use a lot of gas early over five furlongs down that hill last time and she was drawn out on a wing, but she was amongst it today. They were at her and surged her forward, which she loved. Today was very special."

Celandine was cut to 8-1 (from 16) with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power for next month's Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. That Group 1 could kick off an audacious transatlantic double, with Walker eyeing up a date at Del Mar in early November.

He said: "The Cheveley Park and the Breeders' Cup – it's got to be them two. The latter is fantastic and we've only had one runner there [Dreamloper] before and she didn't do so well, so we'll need to have a good time there."

A Cheveley Park rematch against Celandine is on the cards for Leovanni, who finished a length and three-quarters back in third.

Her trainer Karl Burke said: "She got a little further back than ideal but she ran a great race, giving 3lb to the fillies in front. The Cheveley Park is a strong possibility now we know she stays six furlongs so well."

Time For Sandals split Celandine and Leovanni as runner-up. Her trainer Harry Eustace said: "I'm delighted, it was a bit of a leap into the unknown. She travelled very sweetly and lack of experience probably cost her. We may have to look at black type races."

After looming up dangerously, Heavens Gate weakened to finish fourth.

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