Sleeping beauty for Gosden

Sleeping Indian resumed winning ways with a gutsy display to win the Group Three stanjamesuk.com Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

The lightly-raced four year-old, who lost his unbeaten record when fifth in the Sussex Stakes last time out, tracked the pace set by dual Classic heroine Attraction and then pounced under Jimmy Fortune approaching the final furlong.

As Attraction dropped away, the challenges came from Majors Cast and Pivotal Flame but Sleeping Indian, the 9-4 joint-favourite, had too much up his sleeve and battled on well to the line.

But while Sleeping Indian’s trainer John Gosden was a picture of calm in the winner’s enclosure, next door in the second-place section Jeremy Noseda was struggling for words after the unfortunate passage suffered by Majors Cast.

Pinned in a furlong out by Richard Quinn and Pivotal Flame, the runner-up appeared to lose at least the length which he was ultimately beaten by before he could be switched to gain a clear run and regain second from Pivotal Flame in the final strides.

Further back in fourth, Attraction was reported to have not really handled the rain-softened surface by his rider Kevin Darley, while the well-backed Nayyir was outpaced most of the way before staying on when the race was all but over.

Sleeping Indian is likely to bid for success next in the Park Stakes at Doncaster, although Gosden said he would “not be frightened” of returning to Group One company for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

“He doesn’t want it soft – in fact, he was slipping on the ground at Goodwood last time – but he definitely doesn’t want hard ground and that’s why I wanted to walk the course before I let him run today,” said Gosden.

“Even though the rain has come the time tells you that it’s still good ground out there and it was perfect for him. He is a nice, progressive horse and he has done it well.

“We didn’t want the filly (Attraction) opening up and going away so the plan was always to sit on her tail and take it to her at the two-furlong pole.

“That made it quite a good test but it was nice to see him prick his ears and play about a bit near the finish as it suggests he had something left in the tank.

“The Park Stakes at Doncaster is a strong possibility for him but he is still in the QEII.”

Fortune encouraged Gosden (both of whom later completed an 8-1 double with Jeu de Mot (15-8) in the second division of the maiden) to return the winner to a mile.

“We went very quick and this horse gets every yard of a mile, that’s why I took it up when I did – he stays,” he said.

“He’s a lovely horse, he’s done nothing but progress all year and hopefully he’ll keep progressing.”

Noseda was unable to hide his disappointment.

“He should have won and he didn’t,” said the trainer. “He is getting better and better and now we will try to show how good he is in the totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood.”

Attraction will now undergo a course anti-inflammatory tablets as trainer Mark Johnston attempts to find out whether the injury she suffered on her spring excursion to the Far East was hindering her progress here.

Darley said: “I was pleased with her. At least she jumped the gates today and she showed her usual zest early on.

“She was travelling good at halfway. I was a little bit concerned that she was changing her legs quite a few times and she was a little bit over exaggerated with it.

“But I blame the ground as the rain has got in and she felt a little bit uncomfortable on it.

“They got close to her and intimidated her a bit, but at least she’s run her race today. She finished her race off today and whatever comes next we’ll have to take it in our stride. Hopefully, the ground will be right for her. That would be the major thing.”

However, Johnston added on a cautionary note: “We won’t know whether it was the ground or not until we have had a good look at her.

“She travelled well for a long way and at least it was a better performance than last time. Provided she is okay, the Matron Stakes will be next for her.”

But it is “back to the drawing board” for Gerard Butler, after the poor effort of Nayyir.

“Kerrin (McEvoy) said that he was slipping on the ground and just never travelling – I don’t know what to think,” said the trainer.

“Kerrin actually said he thinks he wants a longer trip but I won’t be rushing to make any decisions until I have checked him over thoroughly.”

McEvoy had enjoyed better fortune earlier when steering 4-1 favourite Extreme Measures home in the Stan James Supporting Wessex Heartbeat EBF Maiden Stakes.

The son of Montjeu, who is related to stacks of winners, looked to be in control of the race from some way out and gave McEvoy another victory after his three wins at Newmarket last evening.

“We came here hoping he might show some ability,” said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford. “We don’t ask too many questions of them at home but we thought he was promising and he will definitely come on for the run.

“Sheikh Mohammed liked the look of him at the sales and he looks a good purchase at this stage.”

Totesport and Paddy Power both issued 40-1 quotes about Extreme Measures for next year’s Vodafone Derby.

Appalachian Trail gained a deserved success in the opening contest as apprentice Tom Eaves broke new ground.

Eaves, who recently lost his claim, showed he can compete against the best on equal terms as he brought the winner with a strong run from off the pace to lead 100 yards out in the Stan James Handicap.

“This is my first winner at Newbury,” beamed Eaves. “He is such a game horse and he really deserved this.

“I thought he was in front plenty soon enough as he has only got one run. I would quite like to see him run in the Ayr Gold Cup as although he is a seven-furlong horse, a good gallop back at six might just suit him.”

Strut came from off the pace to take the stanjames.uk St Hugh’s Stakes in some style.

The 5-2 favourite looked in trouble at the halfway stage of the five-furlong Listed contest but picked off his rivals from that point onwards.

And collaring Sweet Afton and Brenda Meova 50 yards from the line, the Roger Charlton-trained winner went on to win by a neck.