Saddler's Rocks at Goodwood

Irish raider Saddler’s Rock ground a determined victory in the Artemis Goodwood Cup under Johnny Murtagh.

John Oxx’s stayer was the 2-1 favourite to exact his revenge on Godolphin’s Colour Vision, who had beaten him into third in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June but had to carry a penalty for that Group One triumph.

Chiberta King and Electrolyser were the two pacesetters and remained to the fore longer than expected, with the latter running a particularly fine race.

But Saddler’s Rock wore down the grey inside the final two furlongs and found plenty for Johnny Murtagh to take the prize by a length from the fast-finishing Askar Tau.

Colour Vision was under pressure early in the straight, but to his credit stuck to his task doggedly to pick up minor honours in third.

Murtagh said: ``We thought it was going to be a big year for this horse and it didn't start great in Ascot, but thankfully he redeemed himself today.

“He’s a lovely little stayer and he’s got that turn of foot, especially on this ground.

“He’s not very big but he’s all heart and very straightforward and he’s improving all the time.

“When you’re riding nice horses like this it makes it easy.”