'His last-to-first win was something to behold' - the week's biggest winners

The Racing Post's awards will honour the best (and sometimes worst) performances and raise talking points from the last seven days of racing. This week's winners are . . .

Story of the week

Modern Games wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after pre-race debacle

First he was in, then he was out – and then he was in again. Nothing at the Breeders' Cup matched the scenes before Modern Games won the Juvenile Turf.

After stablemate Albahr reared and got trapped under the stalls before the off, pre-race favourite Modern Games, in the gate next to him, was dramatically scratched too, having been released from the front of the stalls.

After being examined by vets, Modern Games was dramatically reinstated into the race but, with the US pari-mutuel market having reformed minus the two Godolphin runners, he would not be counted as a participant for betting purposes.

Victory for the Charlie Appleby-trained colt sent boos ringing out across Del Mar from angry punters, many of whom missed out on backing a winning favourite. It was a debacle Breeders' Cup officials will want to forget about quickly.

Drama and confusion as Charlie Appleby wins Juvenile Turf after 'surreal' start

Performance of the week

Breeders' Cup Turf, Del Mar, Saturday

Yibir's last-to-first win in the Breeders' Cup Turf was something to behold.

Having been keen in the rear early on under William Buick, the three-year-old swept dramatically around the field at the final turn and motored to a last-gasp victory over Broome. Yibir, who won the Great Voltigeur at York in August, now looks a true top-level performer.

Ride of the week

Jose Ortiz
Pizza Bianca, Del Mar, Friday

Del Mar is notoriously tricky due to its incredibly tight nature but Jose Ortiz rode it to perfection with a superb performance to win the Juvenile Fillies Turf on Pizza Bianca.

Having broke from stall one, Ortiz was forced to sit and suffer in the early stages and was parked right at the rear of the field.

However, the jockey kept his nerve and began to make his move inside the final two furlongs, weaving his way left and right through the gaps as he picked off his rivals one by one. It was a ride that was ballsy as well as perfectly timed.

Upset of the week

Redcar's 7f handicap on Tuesday

Trainer Brian O'Rourke was left "particularly surprised" after 125-1 rank outsider Magnificence scorched to victory in the 7f handicap at Redcar on Tuesday.

The three-year-old filly made a mockery of her triple-figure price when winning by two lengths under Kieran Shoemark.

With 12-1 chance Maywake second and 40-1 shot Song Of The Isles third, this was a trifecta that took some getting.

Feelgood moment of the week

Sceau Royal

The week was not all about the Breeders' Cup and there were plenty of heartwarming stories in Britain and Ireland, especially the popular Sceau Royal becoming the first three-time winner of the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday.

It feels like the versatile performer should be longer in the tooth than a nine-year-old, and he evidently remains in great heart, with this easy success backing up wins in 2016 and last year in the Grade 2.

It left trainer Alan King "convinced" Sceau Royal is better than ever, which will be music to the ears of the winner's growing army of fans.

'He's a better horse now' – evergreen Sceau Royal lands third Elite Hurdle

Debut of the week

Conner McCann

A jockey who receives heaps of praise from a trainer of Lucinda Russell's stature is, typically, a good one. That was the case for Conner McCann, who struck on his first ride over jumps at Musselburgh on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old, who had six rides on the Flat previously, made the perfect introduction in his new discipline on Diamond State in the 1m7½f handicap hurdle for Russell, which left the trainer saying simply: "He has it."

Conner McCann: rode his first winner over jumps at MusselburghCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

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Catch our new in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and more, it is not to be missed.