Alphonse Le Grande became only the second horse in history to win the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch twice, coming with a late rattle to foil a major gamble on Sea Lantern at Newmarket.
The Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old stayed on strongly under 5lb claimer Patrick Mc Gettigan to cut down 4-1 favourite Sea Lantern, who had hit the front with less than a furlong to run. The winner landed the historic handicap by a short head. Dawn Rising, runner-up 12 months ago, was third, with High Fibre fourth.
The victory repeated Alphonse Le Grande's 2024 win and emulated Aaim To Prosper, who won the race in 2010 and 2012. Martin, who was serving a three-month suspension when Alphonse Le Grande struck two years ago, said: "I couldn't believe it, I thought we had ruined our chances by running two weeks ago at the Curragh. But he's such a tough little horse he pulled it out the bag."
For Brian Ellison it was a bittersweet result. Sea Lantern returned defeated, but the Malton handler believes he could definitely be a Group horse. He said: "He's run an unbelievable race and he got a bump which I'm not sure if it cost him. He's a really good horse."
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing