Newmarket: Mayson upsets July Cup over heavy turf

Mayson, a 20-1 outsider, took advantage of a rain-soaked course to win his first Group 1 race in Saturday’s July Cup at Newmarket, England.

The race did not live up to full expectations. Bated Breath, the 2011 July Cup runner-up and the future-book favorite for this year’s race, was scratched early Saturday because of track conditions. His absence, and the withdrawal of two others, left a field of 12 in Britain’s biggest sprint of the month.

Mayson was ridden by Paul Hanagan for trainer Richard Fahey. Leading throughout, Mayson was clear with more than a furlong remaining and won by five lengths over The Cheka, a 14-1 shot. Society Rock, the 7-2 favorite, finished third, six lengths behind the winner.

Ortensia, who won the Al Quoz Sprint on the Dubai World Cup undercard in March, finished fourth.

Mayson ran six furlongs on a heavy turf course in 1:15.90. The race was worth $660,875.

The victory reunited Hanagan with the trainer for whom he rode first call until the current season. The July Cup was their first Group 1 win in Britain as a team. They had similar success in France in the past.

Owned by David Armstrong, Mayson, a 4-year-old colt by Invincible Spirit, won the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in May, but had lost his two starts at York and Newcastle.

* Earlier on the Newmarket program, Olympic Glory won the Group 2 Superlative Stakes for 2-year-olds over seven furlongs. Ridden by Richard Hughes for Richard Hannon, Olympic Glory, the 6-4 favorite, fought off a late threat from 7-1 Birdman to win by a head.

Olympic Glory, by Choisir, has won 2 of 3 starts. His only loss was a second in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

*The lightly raced Imperial Monarch rebounded from an eighth in the French Derby to win Saturday’s Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp Racecourse.

A colt by the hot stallion Galileo, Imperial Monarch led after the first furlong and was fully extended to hold off the 12-1 shot Last Train to win the race over 1 1/2 miles by a head. Saint Baudolino finished third. Last Train and Saint Baudolino are trained by Andre Fabre.

Imperial Monarch is trained by Aidan O’Brien and was ridden by his son, Joseph. Imperial Monarch has won 3 of 4 starts. He won the Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial in England in April before the disappointing performance in the French Derby.