Big-race win for Markab

Markab secured the big-race success he richly deserved when coming out on top in a thrilling finish to the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes at Ripon today.

Henry Candy’s speedster was sent off the 7-2 favourite having finished an unlucky fourth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot and occupied the same position in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Ridden with restraint by Pat Cosgrave, the six-year-old quickened to challenge the leaders inside the final furlong and got up in the dying strides by a neck from Tamagin.

Advanced was just a nose away in third, while Jimmy Styles filled the places in fourth.

Cosgrave said: "I thought I'd got there and it's great to ride my first winner for Mr Candy. I rode the horse when he was with Kevin Morgan and when he moved, the owners wanted to keep me on him.

“It was six furlongs today, but he has got so much speed and I think he could come back in trip for the Portland Handicap over five and a half furlongs at Doncaster.”