A huge outsider with no form for his current trainer brought his A game to the track for a shock win.
Calculus, a 50-1 no-hoper in the betting, finished last on his two runs before the Beverley Annual Badgeholders Handicap. Prior to that he had been beaten an average of 27 lengths on three previous outings.
But taken to the racecourse with first-time cheekpieces on Tuesday, Sara Ender's horse produced a relentless display from the front. With jockey Kieran Schofield unable to keep hold of him, he let the five-year-old race on with around a mile to travel.
Calculus scooted away from his eight rivals – and the other jockeys were happy to let him go. Galloping well clear, at a distance normally expected in the mud over jumps, the stayer still held a big advantage on the home turn.
Around four furlongs form the finish, he was 18 lengths ahead and although the pack closed, led by Termonator, the post came in time. The 13-8 favourite Clan Jock was further back than the runner-up and took third.
Schofield, who also won on his last ride four days ago, told Racing TV the plan was to obtain a position in mid-division, but his mount was too enthusiastic and he let him stride on. The jockey laughed as he summed up the ride on the three-quarter length winner as "very tiring."
"I got a bit of cover to begin with but then he kind of got a bit of a run on me down the back there," Schofield said. "I just tried to let him roll along after that. You're going to use more energy by pulling him about and trying to stop him so I just (thought) hopefully he stays. We got to the three (furlong pole) and things just weren't coming near me.
"As soon as I was coming round the bend I was just waiting to get swallowed up and luckily nothing did. He outstayed them all."
Unlike his own record, Calculus is a son of champion sire Frankel, the unbeaten ten-time Group 1 winner. Last summer, he moved stables to Sara Ender's North Yorkshire base and connections considered calling it a day after he finished tailed off at Redcar last November.
A spokesperson for the yard posted on Facebook in May: "Calculus had run with promise on his stable debut at Beverley last August, giving hope that there was a good day or two to come, but he appears to have fallen out of love with racing in his three subsequent runs.
"He has been given nearly a six month break to freshen up and if he doesn't show any enthusiasm this time then retirement will be on the agenda."
Connections persevered and Calculus clung on for the £3,186 first prize.
Some punters who backed the shorter priced horses were not happy with the result though – and several suggested the jockeys in behind should be banned.
A stewards enquiry was held into the running and riding of the eight other runners.
"All riders were of the opinion that when Calculus took up the running the gelding appeared to be running freely at a pace which they felt was unsustainable, believing that Calculus would weaken and come back to them in a latter stage of the race," the report read.
"They further added that their mounts would not have finished any closer had they asked them for an effort from further out. Having heard their evidence, all the rider’s explanations were noted."
There was a sting in the tail for Schofield however, as he received a two-day ban for using his whip above the permitted level.
