AERO SACUNDAI added his name to a famous roll of honour when producing an exhibition of real speed to win the BetGoodwin Pall Mall Final at Oxford – a first Cat One success for Monmore’s Richie Taberner

Trained by Taberner for the Aero Racing Syndicate of Stuart Forsdike, Mike Woolgar, Geoff Ansley and Taberner himself, the February 2022 35-kilo son of Ballymac Cashout and Beaming Smasher used his trap one draw and inside line to get first run on fast-starting Long Fellow (Matt Dartnall) after the pair had gone head to head into the first bend.

Thereafter, the ex-Graham Holland-trained speedster was always in charge on his way to taking down the £10,000 Category One prize – underwritten this year by BetGoodwin, new sponsors of the longstanding event – slipping clear for a two and a half lengths victory over the Puppy Collar winner in 26.52sec (normal) for the 450m trip.

Part-owner Stuart Forsdike said: “It was just a great run – and you see what it meant to us all on the night.

“We were really pleased when the draw was made, being inside the pace of Long Fellow in two and, of course, Madabout Peck (Tom Heilbron) in six. Ours doesn’t necessarily prefer trap one, but it was more being inside of Matt’s (Dartnall) dog which was crucial to us – and that’s how the race unfolded. He was fearless into the bend and, once in front, was never going to be caught over that sort of trip.

“It was a massive buzz to win a Cat One after so long – my last was in 2011. But most importantly it was a first Cat One for the kennel and Richie and Jo (Slater) have done such a great job. It was just nice to see them rewarded with the win.

“Our thanks go to sponsors BetGoodwin, because without sponsors these big race wouldn’t be able to be staged.”

Third place went to Droopys Hanover (Kevin Hutton), but the night was Aero Secondai’s as trainer Richie Taberner added his name to a long list of trainers to have won their first Category One title in 2024 following successes for Paul Burr (Roxys Bullet, Coral Essex Vase), Kevin Proctor (Front Alice, Coral Golden Sprint), Kevin Ferguson (Acomb Felix, British Breeders Forum Stakes), Richard Wales (Farneys Willie, Arc Grand Prix), Tony Harmes (Kilwest Ranger, Arc Laurels) and Bill Russell (Magical Bluebear, Arc Silver Salver).

Oxford racing manager Simon Pearson congratulated connections of Aero Sacundai and thanked the big-race sponsors.

He said: “Well done to BetGoodwin for stepping in to back the Pall Mall. They are really enthusiastic sponsors and engaged everyone through their social media – and they got an excellent final for their support.

“Aero Sacundai and Long Fellow produced a real exhibition of early pace and, who knows, had the draws been the other way round, Matt’s (Dartnall) dog might have swept round, but draws can win races and Richie’s (Taberner) runner took full advantage – and we know he’s ultra-fast in the clear.

“We were delighted with the overall quality of this year’s Pall Mall and, while the supporting card proved tougher with such a busy schedule just now, there was a great run from Kim Billingham’s Magical Luna (52.21sec) who broke the 847m track record.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=414262&raceId=1056028