16 May. GB. Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup. G2. York. 14f. Turf. 140.000 £
1.- GEORDIELAND (S.Kelly)
2.- ROYAL AND REGAL (N.Callan)
3.- SAMUEL (E.Ahern)


GEORDIELAND, the perpetual bridesmaid who seemed wedded to habitual defeat, renewed his commitment to winning yesterday when nailing Royal And Regal in the last stride of a pulsating Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup.

An undoubted talent, the grey was a Gold Cup runner-up at Royal Ascot last year but had also been beaten three times at odds-on in the course of a winless run since joining trainer Jamie Osborne.

Yet under a ride of pure nerve by Shane Kelly, he reeled in the front-running Royal And Regal, making up four lengths in the final furlong to earn a turn in the big-race spotlight and provide Kelly with a prestige win just 18 days into his comeback from a year-long suspension.

"He's been the highest-rated horse in my yard for a long while and it's been bloody frustrating, so it's a huge relief after having the horse for two years and not winning a race," said Osborne.

"He had been beaten at 1-4 and to win this is fantastic, even if he does nothing else.

"I couldn't have two more understanding owners than Martin Myers and Tony Taylor. We were going to buy him a bridesmaid's dress at the end of last year but we can put that on hold now. He has beaten all bar one in some of the best Group races there have been over this trip, and I promise you this horse tries. We'll have another shot at Yeats at Royal Ascot now."

Geordieland was cut to 16-1 (from 25) by Paddy Power for the Gold Cup, where he has a length and a half to make up on last year's winner Yeats.
Kelly, who was banned for providing information for reward, said: "Even going by the furlong pole, as cocky as it sounds, I felt I was always going to get to the leader.
"To win a Group 2 after a ban is fantastic and I want to say how grateful I am to Jamie and the owners for putting me up."

Osborne added: "I didn't put Shane up for charity. I thought he would suit him and he proved he is as good as anyone. I don't want to sound sentimental but I think Shane has been incredibly badly treated and history will tell us that if the reality of his ban and the reasons for it are out in the open, you would see how badly treated he was."