Victory for Harris Bay at Ascot
Henrietta Knight's Harris Bay beat off the challenge of long-time leader Without A Doubt to win the feature United House Gold Cup at Ascot.
The 10-1 shot was ridden patiently by Timmy Murphy and hugged the rail throughout the three-mile contest.
Without A Doubt kicked clear five fences from home, but Harris Bay reeled him in up the straight and jumped upsides at the last before going on to score by a neck in a thriller.
Murphy said: "Last season he had problems with his wind so we he had to get him switched him off. Hen (Knight) got a run into him just over a week ago which made him spot on for today and I was able to ride him a little handier.
"He was attacking the fences a fraction too much all the way and he jumped his way there which made my job a bit easier.
"I got to Carl's (Llewellyn) horse (Without A Doubt) and he picked up with me. He surprised me, but he only had 10st which probably gave him a chance," Murphy told At The Races.
Kanad made the most of his light weight to take top honours in the valuable two-mile 'Bet Live' @williamhill.com Handicap Hurdle.
The 8-1 shot was carrying just 9st 7lb due to the allowance claimed by his pilot Kevin Tobin, and he was always travelling strongly.
Charlie Mann's five-year-old was brought wide to challenge on the turn for home and galloped right to the line to repel the late thrust of Platin Grounds by one and a quarter lengths.
The winning rider told BBC Sport: "He had very little weight and he was never going to get beat.
"He wasn't doing a whole lot in front but he's tough, and he picked up again. I knew when the other came upsides that he wouldn't be beaten."
The Wicketkeeper completed a hat-trick with victory in the Listed Byrne Group Handicap Chase under Peter Buchanan.
The 6-1 shot was settled in midfield in the early stages of the two-mile-one-furlong contest, but crept into the race menacingly down the back straight.
Michael Scudamore's five-year-old hit the front with a fine leap two fences from home and careered away to beat Charlton Kings by an impressive nine lengths.
