Double Splendour put out to grass

Veteran sprinter Double Splendour galloped into probable retirement with a repeat victory in the NGK Spark Plugs Apprentice Handicap at Newmarket.

The 12-year-old recorded his 11th career success and took his total earnings to nearly £90,000 by quickening past College Queen inside the final furlong for a neck win on his 79th appearance.

And trainer Paul Felgate announced: “That is probably his last race as I think he will be retired now.

“I have had him nine seasons and I have never had a horse who has been more of a pleasure to train. He doesn’t work like a 12-year-old and he has been a wonderful horse at home, leading the two-year-olds and leading the jumpers.”

Double Splendour enjoyed possibly his biggest win in a Class B handicap at Newmarket in 1998 but Felgate recalled: “He ran some his best races in defeat - he was fourth in the Ayr Gold Cup behind Coastal Bluff in 1996.”