'I'll take the dead-heat' - photo-finish drama with nothing to split pair

The drama on the day came early in the 1m½f handicap with nothing to split Hot Chesnut and Rogue Bear in a thrilling finish.

There was a five-minute wait for the result as judge Michael Roberts assessed the photo but the dead-heat verdict was met with cheers from backers of both horses, with Hot Chesnut trained by Dean Ivory and Rogue Bear, who gained back-to-back course-and-distance wins, trained by Tom Clover.

Before the verdict, Hot Chesnut’s jockey David Probert said: “When we passed the line, I thought I'd held on. It's quite a deceiving angle though and tends to favour the near side.”

Rogue Bear’s rider David Egan said after the result: “I'll take the dead-heat. Rogue Bear's head was down on the line but we had a fair bit of ground to make up a few strides before.”

Clover was not convinced Rogue Bear, the 7-4 favourite, would get the verdict and was happy with the final result.

He said: “I thought Rogue Bear hadn't quite got there. He was lugging in all the way up the straight and his ability got him there as he didn't quite let himself down on the dead ground. I'll have taken a dead-heat as they went past the line.”

Sale stopper

The last week of October is one of the busiest for The Horse Watchers syndicate with the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training sale in full flow, but it doesn’t stop them celebrating a winner as Raasel obliterated his rivals to seal a four-timer in the feature £35,000 5f handicap.

Raasel, who cost 10,000gns last year, initiated a double for trainer Mick Appleby, also successful with Mehmo in a later 5f handicap.

Jockey James Doyle said: “They went a hell of a gallop and it was run to suit Raasel. He's relaxing well, has a great mind and hopefully can keep going through the grades.”

The Class 3 handicap over 1m6f went to the Ian Williams-trained East Asia, who is now 3-3 with William Buick aboard.

Falcon strikes

Godolphin fielded a five-strong attack on the opening 1m½f maiden and celebrated victory with the once-raced Saeed bin Suroor-trained Island Falcon.

The EBF-sponsored race is named in honour of Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn, who landed this contest on his debut in 2014, and Godolphin’s Adayar struck last year before going on to Derby and King George glory this year.

Jockey Pat Cosgrave said: “I got there soon enough and he did it the hard way, but he has a big heart. He’s well made, big enough to train on and will be a mile and a quarter horse next year. I like him.”

Ace amateur

Top amateur Simon Walker sealed yet another gentlemen's Flat championship with the series coming to a conclusion in the finale.

It was Walker's 12th title since 2004 and he said: "I have to thank the trainers and owners who continue to support me. I'm enjoying it as much as ever and it's great to win the title again."

Eireann Cagney, who is based with Richard Fahey, landed the 1m2f race on the Stella Barclay-trained Ghostly with Walker third on the Jim Boyle-trained Angels Roc.

Results, replays and analysis

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