Almeraq confirmed himself as this season’s star sprinter with a third top-level triumph of the campaign in the Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.
After coming out on top in a thrilling Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, William Haggas’ 11-10 favourite bounced back from July Cup disappointment with a blistering display in the Sprint Cup on very soft ground at Haydock.
With conditions not as testing this time, the four-year-old – who was involved in a horrific fall at York that ultimately ended Jim Crowley’s riding career a little over a year ago – showed all of his class and versatility in the hands of Tom Marquand.
He answered every urging from his rider to hit top gear close home and run down Ed Bethell’s Paborus for a neck success. Completing a one-three for the Somerville Lodge was Division.
Mount Atlas climbs to the summit at 33-1
Mount Atlas flew home late to thwart Queenstown with a shock success in the Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot that boosted Andrew Balding’s title challenge.
Although Aidan O’Brien and the Kingsclere handler headed into a pivotal weekend locked in battle for top spot in the trainers’ standings, it was hard to envisage this race proving pivotal with Queenstown sent off at 14-1 and the winner a 33-1 outsider.
It for one second appeared Ryan Moore had produced yet another Ascot masterclass aboard the Prix du Cadran third, but staying on resolutely was Mount Atlas whose winning run reached its summit under PJ McDonald just in time to spring a three-quarters of a length victory over his Ballydoyle rival.
St Leger winner Highwayman filled the final position on the podium, with Gregory in fourth.
Balding said: “He might have been an unlucky loser if he hadn’t got out, but he has to be ridden like that in a way.
PJ McDonald celebrates aboard Mount Atlas
“He’s a very talented horse, obviously we were just taking a chance on the two miles, but he loves Ascot and PJ gave him an absolutely brilliant ride.
“I’m so thrilled and so appropriate in those (Mill Reef) colours as well. I’m just sorry my mother isn’t here – she’s gone to watch a hockey match, she’d have loved that because she bred him.”
Asked if this victory gave him a big boost in his championship hopes he replied: “I don’t know about that, there’s still a long way to go.”
McDonald said: “You’ve got to enjoy days like this. I’ve probably got a lot more days behind me than I’ve got in front of me and it’s great to still be in a position to ride horses like that on days like this.
“Andrew and the whole team at Park House have been so good to me this last two or three years and that is the best way I can pay them back, a Group One winner on Champions Day when the team really needs the prize-money, so it’s a big boost for everybody.
“He is a horse that you think you are going to win on him and you maybe don’t, but the way it panned out for me it opened up at just the right time because he was on the line before he knew what was going on.
“Everything panned out in my favour today and I’m just proud to be a small part of that team.”
Night In Vegas denies Arapaho Gold in Ascot thriller
Night In Vegas wrapped up a phenomenal season with a fourth straight success after Charlie Bishop timed his challenge to perfection in a thrilling Qatar Racing British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes.
Having won three sales races on the bounce, Eve Johnson Houghton’s money-spinner was sent off 5-2 to complete the year on the ultimate Champions Day high, but it was Michael Dods’ Gimcrack hero Arapaho Gold who was the 9-4 favourite to regain the winning thread after a first defeat last time out.
The northern raider had dictated throughout on the front end and was battling on resolutely, with Clive Cox’s Satellite Of Love a constant presence at his withers.
However, with the winning line fast approaching Night In Vegas edged closer and closer, with the judge required as the duo flashed past the post in unison. A nose was the official verdict as the Kennet Valley Syndicates-owned son of Lucky Vega swelled the coffers even further at the end of a fine season.
Johnson Houghton was overjoyed and said: “My heart is not great! I was standing watching with Becky Dunlop and I was convinced we were beat, but she kept saying, ‘wait for the photo’.
“I have to say when it did come through I made a bit of a show of myself, a right noise, but I honestly thought we were beat.
“They went so fast early he got behind a wall of horses that weren’t as good as him, but he’s like a little motorbike when he weaves in and out of them.
“He has been incredible, what a horse. He’s run eight times, he’s won six, he was third in the Richmond, fifth in the Coventry. He’s not got the greatest feet and in the middle of the summer he probably wasn’t in the greatest condition when the ground was at it’s quickest, so I don’t think that was his best form.
“He’s just improving, he’s a wonder horse to train. I did say when we got here that I hoped our ‘Elvis’ still had a song to sing, but he still did.
“When he got here he was prancing around in the paddock and you didn’t know if that was because he was over the top or because he couldn’t wait to get on with it.
“He’s beaten a Gimcrack winner, it was a tough race and it should be a Group race but I understand the politics behind why it isn’t. But it should be a Group race.”
She added: “He’ll now have a nice holiday and so will I! We can dream of all sorts of things for next year now.”