Champion jockey elect William Buick showed all his class to steer Bounce The Blues to victory in the feature Sceptre Stakes on day one of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
Buick, who is set to ride St Leger favourite New London in Saturday’s Classic, live on Sky Sports Racing, was an eye-catching first-time booking on Andrew Balding’s 5/1 shot.
He was made to work for his victory as Bounce The Blues fought out the finish with Umm Kulthum in the Group Three contest on Wednesday.
Despite being winless in 11 previous runs for the Balding team, there was plenty of confidence behind Bounce The Blues after just failing in Listed company twice to start 2022 before stepping up to Group level and performing with credit at the Goodwood Festival and at Sandown last month in the Atalanta Stakes.
George Boughey’s 150/1 outsider Romantic Rival defied his lowly rating of 89 to finish third, ahead of Nizaaka and Honey Sweet.