Gewan surprises big names with impressive Dewhurst success

Gewan caused a 25-1 shock in what looked a top-class renewal of the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Impressive in winning the Acomb Stakes at York, the Andrew Balding-trained grey then disappointed in soft ground behind subsequent Group One winner Puerto Rico in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

James Doyle was always in the front rank on the Night Of Thunder colt and injected significant pace into the race three furlongs out.

With Gstaad, Distant Storm and the previously unbeaten Zavateri all suddenly three lengths in arrears, Gewan just had to keep going and he did so in style, beating Aidan O’Brien’s 7-4 favourite Gstaad, who had been keen early on, by three-quarters of a length, with Distant Storm third and Zavateri fourth.

Balding won the Dewhurst in 2022 with Chaldean, who also took the Acomb and famously went on to win the 2000 Guineas the following season.

“We were saying before the race that he was overpriced, because his York performance was very good and we thought you had to forgive him Doncaster,” said the Kingsclere trainer. “So we weren’t without a hope, but you’ve still got to come and do it.

“He was given a brilliant ride by James and he’s a very good horse, this.

“The soft ground didn’t help at Doncaster, but I don’t think it was just that, for whatever reason he wasn’t at his best. But he was today.

“He’s very similar to Chaldean, but the only thing he hasn’t done is win at Doncaster, they’ve followed the same route.

“If you could forgive that Doncaster run he came here with every chance as the Acomb form was rock solid. It’s a relief, but his work at home suggested he would play a part today.”

Doyle added: “He killed them off between the three and the two and coped with the track so well.

“There was no fluke whatsoever about that, he felt like a good horse. He quickened up very smartly and I knew he wouldn’t get caught.”