Rajeem Shocks Falmouth Field

Rajeem repaid trainer Clive Brittain's faith when she sprung a a 50-1 shock in the UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

The three-year-old filly, trained by Clive Brittain and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, defeated Nannina by three-quarters of a length in the Group One contest over a mile, reversing Royal Ascot form in the process.

Musicanna was another three-quarters of a length back in third while Soviet Song, winner of this race for the last two years and the 6-5 favourite, finished sixth of the seven runners.

The race developed into a sprint with Rajeem quickening well and she was always too strong for Nannina, who had comfortably beaten her in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Jamie Spencer brought Soviet Song on the outside but she was never able to get in a blow as McEvoy, successful on Smart Enough (9-2) in the opening race, completed a 279{-1 double.

McEvoy told Channel 4 Racing: 'Well done to Mr Brittain for keeping faith in her. She ran well at Ascot and she probably could have run third there, but it was a nice surprise to win this race today.

'She relaxed very well in front, I wanted someone to go on but it worked out well and she quickened really well out of the dip.

'We probably had the run of the race but it goes to show nothing is certain in racing.'

Brittain added: 'This filly lost 29 kilos when she went to Germany ? she was in season and never got into the race and she just didn't perform at all.

'It took two months to put her back together and her owner Saeed Manana knows when I say a horse is good it really is.

'When I get a good one I know what to do and how to plan things.'

John Gosden was pleased with Nannina's performance but felt the slow early pace had been against his filly.

He said: 'It was a little bit of an unusual style of race which turned into a sprint and neither the favourite or the second favourite were suited by it.

'Nannina is in the Prix d'Astarte and the Sussex Stakes and she has plenty of options.'

Connections of Soviet Song felt the race may also not have suited their runner, with the mare failing to find her usual turn of foot.

Rider Jamie Spencer said: 'It was a game of cat and mouse and she never took off like she normally does.'

Trainer James Fanshawe added: 'She's a year older but Jamie said she didn't quicken as she usually does.

'We'll take her home and see how she comes out of it before making any plans.'

? PA Sport