Murphy delight as Lightning strikes again in Celebration Mile humdinger

In a week where photo-finishes have caused at least one high-profile red face there were no premature celebrations as Lightning Spear and Zonderland flashed past the post virtually as one in the Group 2 Grosvenor Sport Celebration Mile.

The eye was initially drawn to Zonderland and Adam Kirby, who looked to have held the late thrust of Lightning Spear, but similar to the titanic finish to Friday’s Nunthorpe Stakes at York, the verdict went to the fast finisher, who flared a nostril where it mattered most.

The judge’s announcement prompted a celebration Frankie Dettori would have been proud of from winning rider Oisin Murphy, who had clearly piled the pressure on his own shoulders in the build up.