PIVOINE is fancied to join an exclusive club with a victory in the John Smith’s Cup (2.30, NAP) at York today. Prominent (1971 & 1972) and Chaumiere (1985 & 1986) are the only horses to have captured the historic handicap twice - until now.
Pivoine defends his title with a record of two visits to York and two excellent wins. The Andrew Balding trainee, who had scored over course and distance at the 2018 Ebor Festival, returned to the Knavesmire to lift this race from Setting Sail 12 months ago, charging down the centre of the course for a one-length margin.
Pivoine has drawn a blank in his seven subsequent starts, but has taken on some rather tough assignments. There is an upside to the drought - the six-year-old’s handicap mark has slid
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