Fabre weighs up Classic options for 'top-class' Earthlight

Earthlight lit up a packed Rowley Mile when extending his unbeaten run to five in a very cosmopolitan renewal of the Group 1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes.

The late withdrawal of the sponsor's own Siskin failed to take the shine off the victory of the French-trained chestnut who flew out of the Dip to hold off old rival Golden Horde.

The victory further bolsters the strong juvenile hand of owners Godolphin just a fortnight ahead of the similarly unbeaten Pinatubo appearing at the track in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.

Held up in mid-division off a pace set by King Neptune, Mickael Barzalona was in the right place on the Andre Fabre-trained colt and powered up the hill to prevail by a neck from Golden Horde, with 100-1 chance Summer Sands taking third.

The 11-4 favourite had his task made a bit easier when the unbeaten Siskin reared in the stalls shortly before flagfall and had to be withdrawn, while the much-vaunted Mums Tipple failed to fire. The BHA veterinary statement reported he was lame on his left fore shortly after the race.

Neck in front: Earthlight is the toast of Newmarket after denying Golden Horde in the Middle ParkCredit: Edward Whitaker

Earthlight was continuing the good recent run of Godolphin's own stallion Shamardal, who is also responsible for Pinatubo.

Fabre said: "I was a little concerned the six furlongs here might be a bit sharp for him, but I was confident of his ability and he won that well. We won't run again this year and hopefully he'll get a mile next year when he could come back here or maybe Longchamp, but those decisions are six months away."

Barzalona said of the winner, who was cut to 8-1 (from 12-1) by Paddy Power for next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas: "I was very confident all the way, he was travelling easily and I knew he still had something under the saddle. We knew he was a top-class horse and he proved it today. I knew he and Siskin had the proven form in the race and the others had to step up to beat us. He finished off well so he could get a mile next year and he's one to look forward to."

Godolphin managing director Hugh Anderson said of their winner: "It's a remarkable run by Shamardal having this fellow and Pinatubo at the same time and it was already a great year for him after the exploits of the now-retired Blue Point. A few years ago we restricted his book to 75 mares and he became private to us, but we may open him back up to other breeders next year."

Andre Fabre and Mickael Barzalona were delighted with the performance of the winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Runner-up Golden Horde had finished third behind the winner in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville on their previous encounter. Peter Harper, racing manager to owner Al Mohamediya Racing, said: "That was a brilliant run and we nearly turned the French form around with the winner. That run was on heavy ground and this surface has suited him better."

Third-placed Summer Sands ran a remarkable race for one rated just 96 and who was only fifth in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes on his previous start.

Trainer Richard Fahey said: "I'm delighted. When they are 100-1 in these sorts of races, you think you have no chance, but he ran a blinder. He'll probably run at Redcar next Saturday in the Listed Redcar Two Year Old Trophy. That was always my race."

The disappointment was the Richard Hannon-trained Mums Tipple, who looked to be a Group horse when winning a sales race by 11 lengths at York last month, but he beat only one home here.

Afterwards Hannon did not hide his disappointment at the result, with his other runner Threat also well beaten in fifth, and said: "I'm disappointed with their finishing positions but it was an exceptionally good race. We've still got two lovely horses for next year.

"Threat owes us nothing after winning two Group 2s and he will definitely get further – he proved today he is a seven-furlong horse."

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