Junior Just Champion

David Junior silenced a few talking horses when producing a shock success to claim the £193,000 first prize of the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

Champion jockey-elect Jamie Spencer took it up around a furlong out on the Brian Meehan-trained colt and held the late thrust of French raider Pride (12-1) by three-quarters of a length.

Sir Michael Stoute´s Maraahel, another 25-1 outsider, finished a further one and a quarter lengths back in third.

Godolphin´s Echo Of Light was quickly away under Ted Durcan and he set a fierce gallop in front, quickly building up a healthy lead as the rest of the 14 runners were content to settle in behind.

Coming into the final three furlongs of the mile-and-a-quarter event, Echo Of Light was still at the head of affairs but having briefly looked as if he might steal it, the Godolphin runner was starting to flag by the three-furlong pole and the challengers were lining up.

Maraahel was first to come through but he was soon joined by David Junior, who stayed on determinedly for Spencer, the jockey having first teamed up with the horse when taking the Select Stakes at Goodwood on his previous start.

The rider said: 'It was a tough race and the bookies gave us no chance, but I rode him at Goodwood and I really liked him.

'He travelled so well in the race. I think I gave him a bad ride as I went way too soon on him - he is a long-striding horse and he got into a rhythm so I just let him go and he really picked up.

'Brian said it is a Group One but to ride it like a normal race - get him nice and relaxed and ride the race as it comes to you. 'To win a Group One against older horses is some result. I had ridden Rob Roy earlier this season and I was surprised to see that horse at 12-1 and this one at much longer odds. I knew the fast pace would suit him a lot better than the slowly-run races he has been running in recently.'

David Junior was the second longest-priced winner of the race since the war, but despite several of the leading protagonists running flat - favourite Oratorio appeared to have no excuses in fourth - there seemed little fluke about the victory.

Meehan added: 'Jamie loved him at Goodwood and we had a long conversation after the race where he assured me he would make himself available for this ride.

'We have liked him so much all year and we have given him time and given him chances.

'We did run in the Sussex but the ground was against him. I waited as he´s only three - he´s beaten older horses and he´s one of the best around.

'We will have to see whether we get an invitation to go to Hong Kong now but he wouldn´t be sure to go there. There is always next year and he will definitely stay in training.'

Asked how it felt to win the Champion Stakes, he added: 'What can you say? He´s won it. It´s in the formbook. I am not surprised. We´ve just been patient and it has paid off.'

The result meant Birmingham City football club owner David Sullivan could celebrate his first British Group One winner in his 30th year of owning racehorses.

Pride put a luckless run in the Arc de Triomphe behind her to return to form and delight her connections.

Alain de Royer-Dupre, trainer of the mare, said: 'I always thought she was a Group One filly. Twice in the Arc she was stopped by the leader so we came here and she´s run a good race.

'She´s been invited to go to Japan but maybe the 12 furlongs would be too far for her and we might go to Hong Kong for the 10-furlong Cup instead.

'Then after that it will be time for her to start having babies!'

Hong Kong may also be the target for third-home Maraahel.

Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: 'He is a horse who has always wanted a fast pace and he travelled beautifully, but he just has the one run.

'That is two Group Ones he has been third in. He is not a big horse but is a tough little thing. I am sure Sheikh Hamdan will want him in Dubai and he might go to Hong Kong before that.'

? PA Sport