Owen's Panther lands Goodwood Cup

Former footballer Michael Owen may have tasted success at the top level in that sphere but he looked visibly moved as Brown Panther (13/2) hit the target in the Artemis Goodwood Cup.

There was certainly no hanging about in the early stages of the race as Jim Crowley was intent on making the running on No Heretic and the aptly named Mister Impatience raced in close pursuit with the winner sitting just off the pace.

Mark Johnston's charge assumed the lead with three furlongs to go as Number Theory made his challenge but Richard Kingscote refused to panic aboard the former St Leger runner-up and the five-year-old exhibited plenty of class to put the issue beyond doubt.

Kingscote said: "He was stepping up to two miles and I was really confident he'd love the track.

"I was delighted after the first couple of furlongs, just to get a lead off Jamie (Spencer, Mount Athos' rider).

"It's brilliant. This is what it's about and it's great for everyone in the yard."

Trainer Tom Dascombe said: "We probably haven't done as well as we should have done with him by now.

"I think the horse is helping us because he's maturing.

"We've taken our time and tried to pick races this year. We've tried to get him spot-on for each day and it seems to be working a bit better than it was.

"This was the plan, this was the target. Hopefully we'll move on if he's all right after this.

"We've struggled for top-class horses. We've a few horses, but none quite as good as this.

"When you've only got a few you need to make them produce the results, so this is massive."

Owen said: "There is a lot of heritage in this race and it's a fabulous race to win.

"He's full of stamina. We didn't want it to be a dawdle and hence we were up there in the box seat, just in case there was no pace.

"The leader all the way (No Heretic) did us a favour and gave us a nice lead. He's galloped all the way to the line.

"It's a great training performance from Tom Dascombe and a great ride by Richard Kingscote.

"With football you always feel you're in some sort of control. You and your team-mates are in control, but this racing game is so tough on the nerves - you're powerless.

"You send your jockey out to ride and you hope your trainer has got him spot-on. I was a little bit excited.

"We thought about the Melbourne Cup last year and we were thinking about it again this year, prior to this race.

"As long as he didn't bomb out today we were thinking Irish St Leger and then Melbourne Cup, so, on that performance, I don't see why we should change our mind."

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said of runner-up Ahzeemah: "He ran a good race, he has a big engine and we were very pleased.

"We might go for a Group Three at Newbury next.

"I was disappointed with Colour Vision (seventh) - he didn't seem to handle the track."

German raider, Altano a never nearer third.

Mount Athos was sent off a well-supported 3/1 favourite though Luca Cumani's six-year-old was one of many that found themselves way off the pace when the sprint began for home.