Doncaster review: Spring Loaded jet-powered in Portland

Spring Loaded fairly bolted to victory for trainer Paul d'Arcy and jockey Joey Haynes in the William Hill Portland Handicap at Doncaster.

The five-year-old drew right away form his 21 rivals in the final furlong to turn the highly-competitive five-and-a-half-furlong heat into a procession.

Though the field split into two groups, the near side clearly held sway from some way out and it was Spring Loaded (12/1) who produced a decisive turn of foot to put the race to bed.

Vibrant Chords (7/1 favourite) stayed on well for second but was beaten three and a half lengths, with Justanotherbottle another three-quarters of a length away in third and Lexington Abbey a length further back in fourth.

Haynes was celebrating his biggest career success to date, and said: "I'm absolutely delighted, a big thank you to Mr d'Arcy and the owners for letting me ride him, it's brilliant.

"We knew there would be a lot of pace on and it was always going to suit him. As soon as I asked him, he picked up. It felt good."

D'Arcy said: "I told Joey he'd come alight and not to force him and he's given him a great ride.

"He had a bad draw at Chester and a stress fracture earlier in the year, but I knew there was a big one in him.

"We didn't enter him for Ayr, the ground would be too soft. Earlier in the week people were asking why I was bothering here, but I'd seen the long-term forecast and thought we'd get away with good to soft.

"I can't see much else for him now, especially as he needs decent ground.

"He could be one for Dubai or even America, given how good he is on the all-weather.

"I've tried to qualify for the All-Weather Championships twice, first time he missed out by 1lb and then he got the stress fracture last year."

Aclaim was rewarded for a fine effort in defeat in the Prix Maurice de Gheest by going one better in the Alan Wood Plumbing And Heating Park Stakes.

Martyn Meade's four-year-old had gone close over six and a half furlongs behind Brando in France and this seven was more up his street as he got up close home to take the Group Two spoils.

A steady pace was set by Spirit Of Valor towards the far side and Home Of The Brave towards the stands rail, but they all grouped together as the race hotted up.

Oisin Murphy managed to weave Aclaim (3/1) into a challenging position and get the better of Nathra by three-quarters of a length. Home Of The Brave battled on for third spot another length away.

Murphy said: "I got a lovely tow into it, it was a bit tight but when you are on a class horse I'd rather do that than waste ground and come out.

"He's been very well prepared by connections, they deserve a lot of credit. I haven't won a Group One yet, but it would be lovely if I got the opportunity in France (Prix de la Foret)."

Sky Bet reaction by slashing the winner from 20/1 into 10/1 for the above contest and 14/1 from 16/1 for the Champion Sprint at Ascot at the end of next month.

Meade said: "He's just going the right way now.

"It was a shame he didn't win in France, in another few strides he probably would have done. We've got to look for a Group One now, that's two Group Twos he's won.

"He'll go to the Foret next, seven furlongs is his trip and softer ground is no issue. That was pretty impressive today, you can ride him anywhere."

Bruce Raymond, racing manager for Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah, owner of runner-up Nathra, said: "That was a very good run from her, she needs very soft ground.

"It will either be the Sun Chariot or the Foret next, wherever the softest ground is."

Hugo Palmer, trainer of third-placed Home Of The Brave, was not at Doncaster, but he tweeted: "Huge run from Home Of The Brave on ground that he doesn't love. Only out of the 3 once in his last 9 starts. All roads lead to @BreedersCup."

Frankie Dettori treated his legion of fans to a victory on a big day as he rode a power-packed finish on Westerland to snatch the Napoleons Casinos & Restaurants Nursery Handicap.

Dettori and champion jockey Jim Crowley were locked together in a thrilling finish to the mile heat and it was the Italian who got the verdict.

Westerland (13/8 favourite), trained by John Gosden, was a short-head in front at the line with the four other runners well beaten off.

Dettori said: "He's hit the crossbar a few times and has finally got his head in front again. The cheekpieces helped."

Gosden said: "Khalidi won this last year, it's a nice nursery but it wasn't a very big field.

"I'm very pleased with him, we had to put the cheekpieces on him and I'm pleased he did it.

"They just helped him as I think he was a touch keen early but he's gone and won his race giving 2lb to the second, so that's great."

The PJ Towey Construction Handicap went the way of in-form Kryptos under Nicola Currie while Aclaim's jockey Oisin Murphy doubled up in the closing Marra Falcons Handicap on Godolphin's Game Starter.