Diamond sparkles for Murtagh

Johnny Murtagh's unbelievable season continued as he brought Royal Diamond with a storming late run to pip Harris Tweed in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

Murtagh has farmed many of the big races this campaign but Royal Diamond, whom he also trains, was sent off at 20-1 after running a lifeless race in the Irish St Leger, which he had won the year before.

Harris Tweed appeared to have fought off all his rivals with a brave bid from the front, but Murtagh made up late ground to pounce by a nose right on the line, with another three-quarters of a length to Eye Of The Storm in third.

The Queen's filly Estimate held every chance in the straight but never looked like adding to her Gold Cup gains from the Royal meeting.

An emotional Murtagh said: "This is the best day of my life. I can't thank everyone enough for giving me the horse and trusting me with him. He's been a brilliant horse from day one. I'm privileged to ride so many great horses, but it's all about my staff and my team. He's all heart, this horse."

Winning owner Andrew Tinkler said of the evergreen Murtagh: "I think what makes him so good is that he's a workaholic and he gets into the horses' heads. He understands them, he rides them every morning and his confidence fetches him through.

"In horse racing this is the best day of my life. We had Dubawi Gold second in two Guineas but to win the first race at Champions Day with a horse we didn't think was going to be anything, well nothing can top that.

"We decided against the Melbourne Cup and brought him here and won - you can't beat that."

William Haggas felt Harris Tweed put up a career-best performance in defeat saying: "I couldn't be more proud of him. He ran his guts out. I thought they would be on him quickly. It was his best run ever and he was beautifully ridden. He's going to have a long holiday."

Aidan O'Brien said of Eye Of The Storm: "We're delighted with the run, especially as he's a three-year-old. He missed most of the first half of the season, but he's been busy recently. He'll be a lovely staying horse for next year."