Cape Clear Island beaten in Sandown

Cape Clear Island just failed to peg back Master Apprentice in the Classic Trial at Sandown.

Successful in a Newmarket sales race last week, Aidan O'Brien's colt had his three rivals still ahead of him as they entered the final quarter-mile.

Ryan Moore eventually got him into top gear and he finished off his race well, but was still half a length down at the line.

With the big guns seemingly keen to play their cards late, Andrew Balding's 12-1 winner got something of an uncontested lead in the hands of David Probert.

Snoano loomed up as a danger before weakening in the straight, while the Charlie Hills-trained Autumn Stakes winner Commemorative, the 4-6 favourite on his first start since running at the Breeders' Cup meeting, was bitterly disappointing.

Probert said: "It was quite a smart performance.

"It was quite a tactical race and he managed to get his own way out in front, but when I really asked him to lengthen and quicken away he answered and put it to bed fairly sharply.

"Last year it was a big stretch going for a Group One, but he was second in a maiden here behind Christophermarlowe, who put in a smart performance in the Epsom Derby Trial (on Wednesday).

"The way he's won I'd say he's going to progress."

Former George Kent inmate Custom Cut dug deep to make a winning reappearance in the Mile.

The six-year-old won five races on the spin during a tremendous first season with David O'Meara in 2014, but finished out with the washing on his final start in the QEII on Champions Day at Ascot.

A 4-1 chance for his first outing since October, Custom Cut tracked the front-running Bow Creek before taking over in the straight. Here Comes When came from last to mount a challenge, but Custom Cut was not for passing, sticking to his guns to take the Group Two prize by a length and a half.

Winning jockey Daniel Tudhope said: "He's every jockey's dream as he travels well and gives you everything. He tries his heart out every time. He's an improving horse and did well last season. It's a good start to this season and hopefully he can keep going.

"He had a hard campaign last year and his final run you can put behind him. I think Group Ones are probably on the agenda. He switches off, which will give him every chance to stay a mile and a quarter."