Vauban confirmed for second shot at Melbourne Cup as Asfoora disappoints at York

Irish star Vauban reignited Melbourne Cup redemption plans with victory in the Lonsdale Cup at York overnight.

Vauban (pink/green spots) holds off Al Nayyir to win the Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Irish star Vauban has reignited Melbourne Cup redemption plans for trainer Willie Mullins and American owner Rich Ricci.

Vauban surged back to the top of Cup markets with victory in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3269m).

Vauban, who contested the Melbourne Cup last year as favourite but melted in a high pressure, showed a nice turn of foot to lead the Lonsdale Cup inside and then held out fast finishing Al Nayyir.

Bookmaker TAB cut Vauban from $15 to $11 equal favourite, alongside Circle Of Fire and Grosvenor Square, for the Melbourne Cup.

Ricci confirmed his Flemington aspirations post-race at York.

“I think the plan must be to go there now,” Ricci told local reporters.

“That was our intention all season. We said we’d work back from the Melbourne Cup. He was very good today and he was ready to rock.

“Will (Buick) said he got to the front a bit too soon and idled a bit in front but I wanted to see him run to the line because I had niggling doubts about the trip.”

🏆 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes 🏆
🥇 Vauban
🥈 Al Nayyir
🥉 Gregory@WilliamBuickX | @WillieMullinsNH@SkyBet Ebor Festival pic.twitter.com/DelKwZTHdc

— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) August 23, 2024

Vauban has raced well without success during the European season, runner-up at York first-up, fourth in the Ascot Gold Cup and third in the Curragh Cup.

“He ran a huge race in the Gold Cup and just didn’t stay that trip,” Ricci said.

“I think the race at the Curragh was probably a bit soon after.

“He was wound up for today and he has really delivered. His timing’s good and hopefully that carries on till the autumn.”

Vauban is slated to arrive in Melbourne on the second shipment, in mid October.

Ricci said Mullins has the Irish St Leger still in mind for Vauban but Melbourne was the ultimate goal.

“We learned a lot (Melbourne Cup last year). We did things differently from before when we had always gone down on the second shipment and had always run later,” Ricci said.

“I said to Willie, let’s start with Melbourne. Instead of having a horse we think might go, let’s say we are going to take him and have him tell us that he’s not able to go. Work back from that’.

“That’s what we have done all year. My guess he is he will go on the second shipment, as we’ve done in years past.”

Max Dynamite won the Lonsdale Cup in 2015 and then finished second in the Melbourne Cup behind Prince Of Penzance.

Max Dynamite returned to Melbourne in 2017 and placed third to Rekindling.

🚀🔴⚪️

Bradsell prevails to land the Group 1 @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes for @Archie_Watson and @HollieDoyle1 🏆 @yorkracecourse@ChampionsSeries | @SkyBetpic.twitter.com/5HATvLdvqE

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2024

Meanwhile, Henry Dwyer-trained sprinter Asfoora’s successful European campaign is at the crossroads after she disappointed as an even-money favourite in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1009m) at York.

Asfoora, the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes winner at Royal Ascot and runner-up in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood, finished fourth at York.

Dwyer has another race in Ireland in mind, should Asfoora pull up with a clean bill of health, alternatively the Ballarat sprint sensation would return to Australia with an American Breeders Cup bid off the agenda.

Originally published as Vauban confirmed for second shot at Melbourne Cup as Asfoora disappoints at York