Rock of Gibraltar scores in 2000 Guineas

Rock Of Gibraltar (9-1) was a narrow winner of the Sagitta 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Johnny Murtagh-ridden colt, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sue Magnier, took the one-mile contest by a neck from his better fancied stable companion and favourite Hawk Wing (6-4) to give trainer Aidan O'Brien a one-two.

Redback was with a further quarter of a length away in third.

But the bare result tells only half of the story as the pair were split by the width of the track after the 22-strong field elected to race in three groups during the early stages.

Hawk Wing ran an incredible race as the group of runners he raced with on the stands' side of the track appeared to be at least five lengths adrift of the pace two furlongs out.

It was 25-1 chance Redback who cut out a fierce early gallop under Darryll Holland on the far side of the track.

The fast pace had plenty of his rivals in trouble by the halfway point but Rock of Gibraltar and Johnny Murtagh were always travelling well and when Murtagh switched and asked his mount to quicken just over a furlong out, the response was immediate and impressive.

Sent by Jamie Spencer to the front of his group at about the same time, Hawk Wing also flew home but failed by just a neck to catch the winner.

Redback, who rallied bravely when headed, was a further length and a quarter back in third.

For punters who had backed Hawk Wing, their understandable inclination was to blame the draw for his defeat.

But O'Brien, who ran four horses in the race, weighed up the result in a different way.

"I'd say it was a very good horse who beat him rather than the draw - they are two top-class colts," he said.

"In a way I am pleased that they have split that way because they both think they have won the race and they'll both go home happy horses.

"These were their first runs of the season and some of my horses have been improving a lot for it. The plan was to come here and try and sort them out."

Hawk Wing's rider Spencer was not so easily comforted.

"I had no Redback for a lead on my side," he said. "There was nobody to help Frankie on Naheef in front and I got there a lot sooner than I wanted to be."

The colt is now a best-priced 3-1 chance for next month's Vodafone Derby with Coral after his efforts.

"It's very hard to say where they will go," said O'Brien. "It's a long way to Epsom but it was always a possibility that Hawk Wing would go there after this race."

But for Rock of Gibraltar, it is likely that he will remain at a mile with the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot a possible target.

Manchester United fan Johnny Murtagh was understandably delighted with winning a Classic for his team's boss.

"I had plenty of cover and I kicked a bit early because the gap was closing," he said.

"When I kicked he really accelerated. Jamie was flying at the end but I think we won a bit cosily.

"He is a lovely strong colt, a proper miler, and it has been a pleasure to ride him for Sir Alex. I have been dreaming about it all week.

"I was just hoping that I wouldn't get a bollocking like the boys did on Tuesday night!"

Ferguson himself was unusually speechless after the race.

"I didn't know where he was, I kept looking from the race to the television and back again but I couldn't see him," he said.

"Then he suddenly appeared and he quickened so well, Johnny gave him a brilliant ride.

"Racing is a fantastic release for me, it's just a hobby, but you meet great people with great passions who love their horses."

There will be no rest for Redback will now head for the French 2000 Guineas next Sunday.

"That was just a day's work for him," smiled trainer Richard Hannon.

"Darryll got off and said 'If you run him I promise he'll win'.

"Going into the dip I had nearly chewed my finger off but then the winner came flying by."