Roi Of The Rovers Stuff For Channon

Mick Channon has always maintained his faith in Majestic Roi and the filly repaid her trainer many times over when causing a 16-1 upset in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.

Although she won the former Fred Darling Stakes at the start of the season, the three-year-old appeared to face a stiff task in Group One company against Cheveley Park Stud's pair of top older horses Nannina and Echelon.

Majestic Roi had been beaten in lesser races on her most recent outings, but Channon was adamant she had excuses and confirmed the oft-stated belief that funny things can happen with fillies towards the end of the campaign.

Dual Royal Ascot heroine Nannina looked the more obvious winner as Jimmy Fortune pushed her to the front two furlongs from home, before she inadvertently hampered team-mate and well-backed 11-8 favourite Echelon with a furlong to run.

But Darryll Holland had remained cool on Majestic Roi and switched her around Echelon, bringing himself into contention on the outer of the leading bunch.

She came with a strong effort from that point, but it was only inside the final furlong that she really got on top before pulling three-quarters of a length clear at the death.

Nannina stuck to her guns to claim second, while Echelon finished third, a further length behind the front two.

Falmouth Stakes heroine Simply Perfect and the Peter Makin-trained Harvest Queen were only two necks behind in fourth and fifth.

'You've got to believe in the horses, and she's a good filly,' said Channon.

'She ran very well at Royal Ascot despite softer ground and she's had no luck - she got a dreadful run at Doncaster last time.

'But the ground was right here and you never know with fillies at this time of year.

'Little things have gone wrong, but we've always thought a lot of her.

'As long as her owner Jaber Abdullah agrees, she will stay in training next year, as she's just getting the hang of things.'

However, it will be the end of the road for Cheveley Park Stud flagbearers Nannina and Echelon, who have been a credit to their connections over recent seasons.

Nannina's trainer John Gosden said: 'She ran really well but just hit the front a bit soon and looked about a bit.

'It was still a fine way to end her career.'

Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson confirmed third-placed Echelon, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and winner of both the Celebration Mile and Matron Stakes this summer, would also be retired.

He reported: 'She was twice short of room, first because of Nannina and then because of the winner, but she has run well.'

But while Richardson may have been sorry to see the pair narrowly denied, he did not have to wait long before cheering home the famous Stud silks as John Gosden's Pipedreamer got the job done in the totesport.com Cambridgeshire

(C) PA Sport