MAD RUSH – CUMANI’S EBOR HOPE
Every year the flat enthusiasts amongst us have the puzzle of finding Luca Cumani’s horse for the Ebor, a handicap over 14F run on the Knavesmire. Luca has managed to nail the winner of this staying handicap 3 times from 1999 and went very close in 2006 when Glistening was just nailed by Mudawin.

This year he’s got another live contender after Purple Moon did the business for the Newmarket handler last year, in the shape of MAD RUSH who really should have beaten Punjabi the last day at Newmarket.

A strong-bodied long striding sort Mad Rush had to bob and weave his way through endless amounts of traffic to mount his challenge on Punjabi who’d already stolen five lengths into the dip – once he got the breaks he flew home with a serious turn of foot to be denied by the narrowest of margins.

Mad Rush clocked a pattern-class time here, capable of landing most Group 3 events, and possibly a Group 2. He’s improving all the time so you’d have to say there’s more to come.

Punjabi went out again next time and franked the form, so Mad Rush has to be followed wherever he heads next.

Whether he’ll be aimed at the Ebor is debateable but Luca does love to run one in this race, and this has to be his best chance of a winner.

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Tags | ebor stakes, luca cumani, mad rush, punjabi, york