Saudi Arabia could be next after Sangarius survives stewards' inquiry drama

Sangarius got his career back on track in the Listed Quebec Stakes but it took a photo-finish and a lengthy stewards' inquiry before he was confirmed the winner over fast-finishing runner-up Bangkok.

It was not the first time the first and second had finished close together with a neck separating them when they met on their debuts back at Newmarket in August 2018. The official distance was a nose on this occasion, but the result was the same with Sangarius edging it once again.

The big talking point came 50 yards from the line when Sangarius shifted right-handed, in the process moving Bangkok "slightly" off his intended line, but the stewards eventually decided it had not been enough to impact the placings.

2.00 Lingfield: full result and race replay

It was a first success for Sangarius on only his second start since winning the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2019 and he could be heading abroad in the new year.

"It turned out to be a very strong race and he was probably getting a little bit tired at the end but it was a very encouraging comeback," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

"He's had some issues and we'll see how he comes out of the race and talk to Prince Khalid to see what he wants to do. He could go to Saudi Arabia but that will be the owner's decision."

There was no hiding the disappointment of David Probert, the rider of Bangkok, who felt the interference had been enough to make a difference and thought it would be worth appealing.

"They said I lost momentum in the stewards' room yet still don't think it cost me a nose," said a dejected Probert. "My horse is in front after the line and, in my opinion, I felt it cost me more than a nose."

Gamble landed

Ford Madox Brown took a huge step forward on his debut effort at Kempton 24 days ago to land a decent gamble in the mile novice stakes at Lingfield on Saturday.

As big as 14-1 with bet365 on Friday evening, the David O'Meara-trained two-year-old was sent off at 3-1 following sustained support and finished strongly to get the better of 5-4 favourite Bascule by half a length.

Having finished a well-beaten ninth of 13 on his debut at Kempton, Ford Madox Brown was far more streetwise on this occasion and hit the line strongly under Danny Tudhope, for whom the victory did not come as a huge surprise.

12.15 Lingfield: full result and race replay

"We've always liked him," said Tudhope. "He's a nice big sort and still a little bit weak. He saw the race out nicely and is a horse for the future, so it's probably a bonus that he's winning already.

"I was always confident I was going to get there and there's plenty of improvement in this horse."

Owned by Anthony Hogarth, the son of Oasis Dream is certainly bred to be smart and is a half-brother to Librisa Breeze, a stalwart of the Dean Ivory stable who landed a Group 1 as a five-year-old back in 2017.

Victory made it 100 winners in Britain for the eighth consecutive year for winning trainer O'Meara.

Read more:

'He's the ultimate stayer' - turbo kicks in as Paisley Park snatches Long Walk

Hughes shows champion class with double headed by impressive Sam's Adventure

'I get a huge kick out of training him' - Not So Sleepy stars at Ascot again

'Not a dry eye in the house' – 40-1 outsider provides poignant success

Saturday reaction: 'He would be dangerous to dismiss in the way 40-1 suggests'

What a start: watch Hollie Doyle kick off her big weekend with Deauville win

Join Members' Club Ultimate and read tipping from the likes of Pricewise and Paul Kealy, all the big interviews and features, daily comment and news analysis – plus our Ultimate Daily newsletter. Click here to sign up.