Rapidly-improving Alanza swoops late to take Sceptre Stakes

JOHN Oxx’s rapidly-improving Alanza (11-4) swooped late to take the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster yesterday.

The Aga Khan-owned filly arrived on Yorkshire soil unbeaten in two starts, both at Listed level, and was delivered with near-surgical precision by Johnny Murtagh to surge between last year’s winner Dever Dream and Chachamaidee, beating the former with more authority than a neck might suggest.

For Oxx, who has found keynote triumphs hard to come by since the Sea The Stars glory days, this was a most satisfying outcome as she was his first runner in England this season.