Spark still burns bright with Sovereign Debt

Popular veteran Sovereign Debt claimed a 12th career victory in the Sunbets All-Weather Mile at Lingfield.

A winner in Qatar earlier in the year on what proved to be his final start for David Nicholls, the eight-year-old grey has finished a close second in this race in each of the last two years.

He made a promising debut for Ruth Carr when third at Kempton a couple of weeks ago and he was an 8-1 shot for his latest big-race assignment.

Ryan Moore dictated matters at the head of affairs aboard Salateen and looked to have slipped the field early in the straight.

However, Sovereign Debt and the fast-finishing Nimr went by him in the final furlong and it was Sovereign Debt who won the battle by a neck.

Salateen was just a length away in third, with hot favourite Ennaadd only fourth.

James Sullivan, riding Sovereign Debt for the first time, said: "He's a very good horse. He travelled round lovely. It got a little bit tight round the home bend, but in fairness to the horse he put his head down and went through it and galloped the whole way to the line.

"I've watched him through the years and we're very lucky Mrs Carr got to train him.

"She and the team have done a very good job with him and it's a great result for the yard.

"It's great for me. It's great to be riding a good horse like this."

Carr said: "It's not very often I'm lost for words, but I kind of am at the moment! It's fantastic for the owners and for the horse itself, he's been the bridesmaid so many times, he's really deserved it.

"It's a fantastic day for the yard. Jimmy had him in a really good position early and he's always stuck his neck out and tried.

"Andrew Mullen would have ridden him if he hadn't been banned but one man's good luck is another's bad luck.

"I was hopeful we were going to peg back the leader, I was a bit worried about him, but we were in front where it mattered.

"I'm not sure how much of the credit I can take for the training, but we got him qualified, we got him here and got him right on the day.

"He's eight years old but he's not getting any worse. He's genuine, he tries and it's great for us.

"We're delighted to have a horse of his calibre. A win like this should hopefully raise our profile and it's a big boost for the staff in the yard. It's a team effort and I think we will just enjoy today for now."