The Glenn Stevenson-trained gelding Jakcorijim confirmed his status as a genuine Devonport. Cup contender with an emphatic win in the Sheffield Cup over 1650 metres at Spreyton on Boxing Day.
The seven-year-old grey gelding produced a powerful finishing burst to defeat the David and Scott Brunton trained Royal Rapture and the Shirley Berger trained roughie Red Eagle.
Jakcorijim was already guaranteed a start in the Devonport Cup after winning the ballot free Golden Mile at the Tapeta track in early December and this race also offered the same bonus to the winner.
Stevenson pencilled in the Devonport Cup as the main mission for his stable star some time back and he could not be more pleased with the gelding’s progress this time in.
Royal Rapture was gallant in defeat and again showed his liking for the Tapeta surface, whist Red Eagle looked the winner on the corner and was given every chance by apprentice Ismail Toker.
Another Devonport Cup aspirant Landstar was also brave in defeat, whist the Michael Trinder trained Temajim who was having his first start for almost 12 months was doing his best work late and will be improved by the run.
The Devonport Cup will be run at Spreyton Park over 1880 metres on January 8.