Bayside Boy enters Classic fray after edging out the Queen's Reach For The Moon

Bayside Boy belied his inexperience to upset some of the leading two-year-olds in Britain as he captured the Group 2 Champagne Stakes in the manner of a live Qipco 2,000 Guineas contender.

Taking on Solario and Gimcrack winners on just his third start, Bayside Boy struck late and fast under David Egan to edge out the Queen's Reach For The Moon.

Beaten in a photo-finish in Listed company on his latest start, the son of New Bay was on the right side of a tight battle on this occasion, with Unibet quoting the winner 16-1 (from 33) for the Guineas.

"He probably showed his lack of experience when he was just worried out of it last time," said Varian. "I was pleased with that today and showed he had learnt a bit at Newbury. He was tough when he needed to be.

"He's a neat horse and as a three-year-old he looks like he'll be a miler. You'd have to be thinking something like the Dewhurst next but we'll obviously watch his condition in the next few weeks."

Hurricane Lane blows Classic rivals away with stunning St Leger display

Gimcrack winner Lusail disappointed in fourth, while Reach For The Moon failed to follow up his impressive Solario win by a head having tried to make all under Frankie Dettori.

"Frankie knew he was in trouble a long way out on the ground," said joint-trainer John Gosden. "It's a pity we got that heavy rain yesterday and it's never easy to make all in a bit of a headwind over the straight seven. Better ground, better horse is all I can say. He'll probably have another run this season."

Varian and Egan completed a St Leger day double with a comfortable victory for Title in the 1m4f handicap.

Storming home

There may have been controversy on Eclipse day for Hurricane Ivor but it was a much more straightforward affair on St Leger afternoon.

The four-year-old was initially called runner-up in a photo-finish at Sandown in July only to be awarded a dead-heat due to a wonky mirror, but avoided incident on Saturday to come home half a length in front in the 5½f Portland Handicap.

"That was great," said trainer William Haggas's wife Maureen. "He is such a star. He's a charming horse who is such a pleasure to have around the yard and he's done nothing but improve all year. The trip suited him and so did a bit of dig in the ground."

Hurricane Ivor is entered in next Saturday's Ayr Gold Cup but Haggas said: "I don't think he'll run. We'll probably look at a black-type race, it was a good performance under top weight today and he deserves it."

Hurricane Ivor wins the Portland Handicap in front of packed stands at DoncasterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Smooth journey

Charlie Appleby got the perfect boost ahead of the St Leger with a one-two in the Group 2 Cazoo Park Stakes.

The six-year-old Glorious Journey scored the eighth win of his career as he saw off stablemate D'bai by a length and a quarter under William Buick.

"He's a solid horse," said the trainer. "He's been a Group winner every year since he was a two-year-old. He deserves it after chasing home Space Blues at York and is one of the yard favourites."

Meydan rather than Paris may be the next destination for the winner as Appleby said: "The ground may be a bit too soft for him in the Prix de la Foret, we'll see."

Buick and Appleby capped a fine day with victory for Royal Fleet in the mile handicap.

Replays, results and analysis

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