'Onwards and upwards' for El Habeeb after landing dramatic Noel Murless

El Habeeb narrowly denied Giavellotto to land a dramatic running of the Noel Murless Stakes for Andrea Atzeni and Kevin Philippart de Foy.

The three-year-old was dropped in grade after finishing sixth in the St Leger at 150-1 and stayed on bravely to win the Listed race by half a length from Giavellotto, who was third in the Doncaster Classic last time.

There were five horses in contention approaching the final furlong before Thanks Monica hung badly right under Hector Crouch and impeded the favourite Secret State and Lionel, who finished third.

"It was a big step down in grade," said Atzeni. "This is my first time riding him but I know they think a lot of him at home. He ran well enough in the Derby and did his best work at the end in the Leger.

"I spoke to Kevin before the race and he told me to take a more prominent position to give him every chance. He was a bit keen going down but he broke well and got into a nice rhythm. I was happy most of the way and he dug deep when I asked him to."

El Habeeb finished tenth in the Derby on only his second start, and Atzeni believes there is more to come next season. He added: "It's onwards and upwards. He can improve and be a nice four-year-old."

Cadmus off the mark

Cadmus could be destined for the sales ring after denying Sweet William and scoring at the third attempt in the 1m4f novice contest.

The three-year-old, who is part-owned by the Ellipsis syndicate and finished behind El Habeeb on his previous start, kept on well under William Buick to deny short-priced favourite Sweet William, who missed out by half a length after just failing to reel in the winner.

"It looks like he's beaten a good horse," said syndicate manager James Ramsden. "We've always liked him and the team have taken their time. We put him in the Horses in Training sale as a backstop if he won today and he'll be a lovely horse for us or someone else.

Cadmus -William Buick wins from Sweet William -Robert HavlinThe Peroni Nastro Azzurro Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 3)Ascot 30.9.2022©Mark Cranhamphoto.comCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"Our idea is to race horses but sadly with the way it is in Britain, as everybody knows, you sometimes have to sell your nice ones to regenerate and return to the sales, but we'll make a decision soon."

Cadmus scored in the same pink and brown colours made famous by Winston Churchill, and Ramsden added: "His were the same colour. We're piggybacking on the back of that with our silks and we love it."

Course form

Raising Sand recorded his fifth course success and his first since July 2019 when landing the mile classified stakes under Saffie Osborne.

The ten-year-old, who bounced back to score on the all-weather last time, raced prominently and burst into the lead with five furlongs to travel before holding off the challenge of 22-1 shot Baltimore Boy.

"I think we figured out we've probably been riding him wrong. He's got such a high cruising speed and he's game," said the jockey. "He used to wander around a bit in front but he never wavered today."

Results, replays and analysis

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