William Haggas strikes again as Alenquer wins Tattersalls Gold Cup thriller

Sunday: Tattersalls Gold Cup, Curragh

Tom Marquand made his first visit to the Curragh count as he partnered Alenquer to glory in a pulsating Tattersalls Gold Cup.

On a day when Alenquer's trainer William Haggas added a third German 2,000 Guineas to his illustrious CV, the son of Adlerflug responded to every urging from Marquand, who lifted his mount in the closing strides to prevail by a neck from High Definition.

Although the four-year-old was sent off third favourite, the form book provided plenty of pointers to suggest he could land a blow in the €400,000 contest and he duly became the fifth British-trained winner of this race since 2013.

Full result and replay of the Tattersalls Gold Cup

Last season's King Edward VII winner beat subsequent Derby hero Adayar in the Sandown Classic Trial last April, finished runner-up to Mishriff in the Juddmonte International and held off Lord North – sent off favourite here – in the Winter Derby in February.

Alenquer was only sixth in his last start in the Dubai Sheema Classic but he certainly made amends here with a performance that saw him cut to 6-1 for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.

Maureen Haggas, representing winning trainer and husband William, said: "He was ridden beautifully by Tom. He knows him really well and is a top-class jockey. The horse is hard as nails, the more you ask of him, the more he gives.

"He's always been a nice horse. He almost keeps surprising us a bit. I think going is important to him, he needs a bit of dig in the ground. He's got top-class form over a mile and a quarter, and has proved it's his best trip."

Alenquer (centre) edges out High Definition in the Tattersalls Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Ryan Moore set a blistering pace in the early stages on High Definition, trying to stretch out his rivals, and with two furlongs to go it looked as though the jockey had produced another piece of riding genius.

Travelling alongside Lord North, Marquand got to work on Alenquer two furlongs out and although State Of Rest loomed up on the outside and High Definition rallied, the Irish pair were unable to respond to the British raider's challenge.

Marquand said: "It was great to get this lad in a scrap at the two pole, because there was only one way he was going to come out.

"Sometimes at home it's a bit of a pain that he loves a fight because he thinks it's all a game, but when he gets on the track he takes it seriously. He's got some amount of ability, and the attitude to match, which is why he is winning a Group 1.

"I'm not going to lie, an hour ago I didn't even know my way down to the start."

He does now, and he found his way back much more enjoyable.

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