A review of the action and free video replays from Saturday's meeting at Ascot.
Lodge repeat for Al Qareem
Al Qareem won back-to-back renewals of the Group 3 BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes for Karl Burke at Ascot on Saturday.
Ridden prominently by Clifford Lee, the five-year-old had established a healthy lead by halfway with only Layfayette giving chase once they turned in.
Al Aasy was travelling well way off the pace under Cieren Fallon and he made late inroads, but was never going to catch Al Qareem who won by two lengths.
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Speaking from Newmarket, Burke said: “He won well and wears his heart on his sleeve. A mile and a half is his minimum trip and I said to Cliff if they give you an easy lead take it and if you can pinch a length or two up the hill it will be hard work for them to catch you on that ground. He never looked like being caught, did he.
“He’s got an entry at Ascot (Champions Day) and we will keep an eye on that race, but he is more likely to go for the Prix Royal-Oak and take a shot at that. We will see what turns up at both meetings and make a decision closer to the time.”
Apollo rockets to Bengough win
Apollo One got a deserved success in the Group 3 John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes under Danny Tudhope for trainers Peter Charalambous and James Clutterbuck.
The six-year-old has had another consistent season, finishing second in three big-field handicaps, but he broke his duck for the campaign here after travelling well in a prominent position throughout.
Last off the bridle, he was kept up to his work to see off the final challenge of Jarraaf by a length with Russet Gold back in third.
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“He’s quick out of the stalls but he needs to be held together and have a bit of cover. He pinged the gates, they went steady and he travelled like a train throughout,” said Tudhope. “He deserves that, he was very unlucky last time and deserved to get a win under his belt. It’s the first time I’ve ever sat on him but I think he enjoyed the ground.”
Charalambous added: “I think at Doncaster he actually thought he had won! That’s him done for the year now, I did think about Dubai but he can be quite naughty when he’s travelling.”
Volterra strikes for Ryan in Challenge
Volterra enjoyed the soft ground conditions in the Bet MGM Challenge Cup as he ran out an easy winner by three-and-a-quarter lengths for trainer Kevin Ryan at odds of 11/2.
Last seen finishing second in the Sky Bet Mile Handicap at York, he improved on that good form back down in trip a furlong on the softest ground he has ever faced.
Qirat broke free from the chasing pack to finish second, but the winner had flown. Bopedro was third and Fresh fourth.
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Winning rider Shane Gray said: “It made it so simple, he jumped and travelled and when I gave him a squeeze he immediately picked up. He’s won over a mile but he’s not slow, if anything we could bring him back to six (furlongs).”
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