Little White Lie returned to winning ways in the Jeep Mile Handicap at Epsom Downs on Friday, June 6, holding on by a neck and half a length from the fast-finishing duo of Unshakable and Vainglory.
The four-year-old was based in Ireland with Ger Lyons early in his career before being bought privately by The Three Honest Men syndicate and transferred to John Jenkinsâ Royston base.
The 12/1 chance got a good start from stall 11 before hitting the front on the approach to the turn in. He battled tenaciously to the line to repel the late challenges of runner-up Unshakable.
He will now head straight to the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, for which Paddy Power cut him from 50/1 to 33/1.
The winning trainer was more than pleased with the run of Little White Lie, whom he acquired two months ago. He said: âWe were hoping that heâd run well and Iâm delighted with how heâs run. Heâs done well since he came to me - he had a couple of poor runs before The Three Honest Men syndicate bought him.
âDarryll (Holland) was very pleased with him, he kept out of trouble and heâs done it very well. He felt that Little White Lie came on well from Sandown and said that heâd improve again for this run. The Royal Hunt Cup (at Royal Ascot) is the plan for him now and he should get into that race with the penalty heâll receive for this win.â
Jockey Darryll Holland added: âWhen you ride at Epsom, position is the most important thing and having the timing and knowing when to kick and whatâs underneath you. Itâs a long run-in but I think I got a good position from stall 11 and so I was happy where I was.
âI just coaxed him into the lead passing the road and got him on an even keel so I still had a little bit left in case anything came for me. But he repelled them well and heâs a tough horse.
âWe were at pains as to whether to run him in the next race, the Rose Bowl over a mile and a quarter, but John and I had a chat the other day and we decided that because he is going to the Royal Hunt Cup it would be pointless to step him up and them drop him straight back down again so hopefully he will go and win that race now.â
