Shandoz could be set for Middle Eastern campaign after Listed win

Monday: Kempton

Shandoz could be on course for a Middle Eastern campaign after narrowly landing the Listed Floodlit Stakes under David Egan.

The four-year-old won an £80,000 heritage handicap at Ascot last season, one of two wins at the track, but spent just under a year on the sidelines before his reappearance at Lingfield last month, when he finished a close second to Bodyline.

He took part in another bunched finish at Kempton but found an extra gear to finish a length clear of Desert Fire. The 6-4 favourite Hamish, winner of the Group 3 September Stakes, finished seventh.

"I'm over the moon," said Egan, who mentioned the Saudi Cup meeting as a possible destination. "He's had a few niggly problems and a long layoff. He made a nice comeback last time.

"I normally drop him out last, which is how he was ridden when winning those races at Ascot, but in this race I had to ride him more prominently.

"He's only rated 97, so we were looking for a top-four finish, but he hit top gear approaching the line and quickened away. He's a nice staying horse and he could be one for a Middle Eastern campaign."

He could be joined in the Middle East by Brains, whose connections are considering a trip to Bahrain for the new £550,000 Turf Race Series after he landed his third course-and-distance victory.

The Jamie Osborne-trained five-year-old made all under Nicola Currie for his eighth victory and his syndicate owners suggested he could be aimed at the series, which runs between December and March and targets international horses rated between 85 and 100.

"It was possibly one of his best runs," said Saffie Osborne, who was representing her father Jamie. "He's saw it out well in the end."

Marching On

Hollie Doyle hailed "lovely big beast" Marching Army after he defied a 5lb rise to win the London Middle Distance Series Final.

The three-year-old, who was sent off the 100-30 favourite, edged ahead inside the final furlong and held off Noble Masquerade and March Law, who Marching Army beat in the qualifier in September.

Marching Army and Hollie Doyle win the London Middle Distance Series Final HandicapCredit: Mark Cranham

"He was up 5lb and I think he's going to improve and get a bit further," Doyle said. "He was in top gear most of the way round and I knew from last time he'd get a bit further. He's a lovely big beast. It was great of Saeed [bin Suroor, trainer] to keep me on him."

The £36,708 pot was the second success of the day for Godolphin, who also had success with Tangled Words in the maiden stakes.

Championship dreaming

Silvestre de Sousa did not rule out a bid for a fourth jockeys' title next year after landing the mile fillies' novice contest on Miss Marble.

The jockey, who ended his three-year partnership with King Power Racing last month, said: "I hope to ride plenty of winners next year. If I have the opportunities and get the support from the trainers, then I'll work hard and hopefully be thereabouts [in the title race]."

Results, replays and analysis

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