Steady rain threatened to spoil the fun on Sandown’s big charity day but the softened ground played into the hands of Fallen Idol in the Variety Club Stakes.
John Gosden’s colt had proved better than a mere handicapper last season and had managed to win a Listed race at the course, although his two previous runs this season had not offered much encouragement.
Martin Dwyer powered past Licence To Till with a furlong of the 10 remaining but needed to ward off the thrust of Beaumont’s Party to collect by half a length on the 15-2 chance.
“He had the form in the book and is quite smart on his day, so that was a good effort under a lot of weight,” said Dwyer. “He idled a bit at the end. The ground is soft, but it’s wet rather than holding.”
Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.