Plan comes off for Fretwell and O'Neill
Escape Plan trotted up in the opening race at Ripon today to continue owner John Fretwell’s and trainer Eoghan O’Neill’s hot streak.
They combined with Always Hopeful to win last Friday’s Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and Escape Plan’s victory in the BBC Radio York EBF Novice Stakes kept up their impressive strike rate.
Both horses were ridden by Graham Gibbons and he was always oozing confidence on this afternoon’s 6-4 favourite.
After making virtually all the running, the son of Key Of Luck came readily clear to beat Asaawir by three lengths.
Escape Plan was narrowly beaten in a Listed event in Germany last time and he could once again be chasing another big prize later this month.
“He’s going to run in the Tattersalls Breeders Stakes at the Curragh on August 20 – that’s his next step,” revealed O’Neill.
“He ran very well in Germany. He should have won but that’s the way it goes.
“He’s a grand horse who is progressing and will be up to Group-race standard in due course.”
