Megallan's Group 3 win is soothing balm for Oppenheimer's broken toe

The elation gained from owning a Group 3 winner can soothe most pain and Anthony Oppenheimer was able to reap those rewards as Megallan took the D&N Construction Sovereign Stakes.

Oppenheimer had cracked his left big toe and had to endure wearing shoes for the first time since the accident to see his three-year-old in action.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained 7-4 favourite travelled well from a prominent position and battled determinedly to the line under Rab Havlin to hold off several challengers with Sir Busker finishing closest.

Watch Megallan's gutsy Group 3 victory

Oppenheimer said: "He was favourite, so we thought he had a good chance. We hoped he'd show how good he was today. When the other horse drew along he said, 'Wait a second, what do you think you're doing?'. He wasn't going to lose the race. He was back to his best here."

He added: "I jabbed my big toe against the side of something. I had it x-rayed and it was just a crack, but it was a very painful crack!"

Anthony Oppenheimer: pain of cracked big toe was soothed by Megallan's Group 3 victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

This was a return to form for the son of Kingman, who had endured a nightmare journey when tackling the French Derby, but looked hugely promising earlier when chasing home Hurricane Lane in the Dante.

"He travelled into the race really well," said Havlin. "When he got there he felt as if he wasn't doing a stroke. The other horse came on my outside and he really knuckled down and changed gears; he was going away at the line. That was a good performance.

"I think he gets the stiff mile well but he could easily go up to a mile and quarter again. He's a different horse; he's become a lot more straightforward now.

"He's always shown a lot of potential. Let's hope he can move up. He was a Listed winner and now he's a Group winner."

Murphy up to 95

Oisin Murphy extended his lead at the top of the jockeys' championship with a double on Undertheboardwalk and Silent Flame. Second-place William Buick also had a winner.

The former, a newcomer trained by Brian Meehan, particularly caught the eye when making all to win by a length and a quarter.

Undertheboardwalk: impressive winner on debutCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Meehan, who will look to test her at Listed level next, said: "We thought she'd go well; she's a very nice filly. A lot of the credit has go to Baycliffe Farm, William Harrison-Allan's team. They've had her all the way through the spring and they've done a tremendous job.

"She's been with us six weeks and we think she's got a lot of talent. Oisin really liked her and we've always been fond of her."

Shock result

Cieren Fallon quipped "you put me on the wrong one" to trainer Patrick Chamings after Tawtheef finished seventh behind stablemate Magical Dragon, who landed the mile handicap at odds of 50-1.

Hector Crouch guided the nine-race maiden to the surprise win over joint favourites Fitzrovia and Invincible Soldier.

Fallon, meanwhile, was able to land a sixth success in six days when Nell Quickly won the 1m4f fillies' handicap.

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