Spring Loaded (12-1) shot clear to land the opening William Hill Portland Stakes on the final day of the William Hill St Leger Festival.
Paul D’Arcy’s sprinter left the field trailing behind him in the closing stages as he went through the gears to record a three and a half length win.
Vibrant Chords (7-1f) came home second with Justanotherbottle (22-1) close behind in third. Lexington Abbey (10-1) finished fourth.
Winning jockey Joey Haynes said: “He’s done it so easily. He’s got a great lead into the race and when I’ve asked him to go he’s picked up brilliantly. Fantastic horse.”
Seahenge kicked off a big-race double for Aidan O’Brien with victory in the Group 2 Howcroft Industrial Supplies Champagne Stakes.
Donnacha O’Brien got the 8-1 shot rolling late on as Seahenge got the better of Hey Gaman (6-1) by a neck.
O’Brien said: “We’re delighted with him. He did well to win that. Donnacha won on him on his maiden and gave him the same kind of ride over six furlongs. This was obviously seven today and they didn’t go very fast so he did very well.
“He’s a fine horse, a very high quality horse to be able to do that. He won first time out this year and very few of ours have been doing that. He learnt a lot at Goodwood and Ryan said when he turned in that day he was very green. But obviously he’s come forward from that.”
Westerland (13-8f) got back to winning ways in a thrilling battle with Regimented (9-2) in the Napoleans Casinos & Restaurants Nursery Handicap Stakes.
John Gosden’s colt stuck on gamely to defeat his rival by a short head.
Gosden: “It’s good to see Frankie Dettori can still get them up on the line! Khalidi won this last year, it’s a nice nursery.
“Very pleased, I think the cheekpieces have helped him, he’s gone and won his race and was giving 2lb to the second.”
Kryptos (9-2) gave jockey Nicola Currie a big victory as he took victory in the P J Towey Construction Ltd Handicap Stakes.
Kryptos ran on well to comfortably keep 11-4 favourite Battered at bay.
Currie said: “He’s so straightforward, that’s the best bit about him. Just get a bit of cover and settle him in behind. You know where you are with him; he’s carried me the whole way there.
“We knew there wasn’t much pace so I didn’t want to jump too well and have no cover but it’s worked out lovely and I’ve just had to squeeze him to the line.
“I was always conscious that Ryan Moore might just come and get us being on the favourite! It’s my first season really riding and to even sit on a horse like this is great. Mr Berry has given me so much support this year.
“When you go out and you know he trusts you, you ride at your best.”
Game Starter (5-6f) showed he was still improving when landing the closing Marra Falcons Handicap Stakes under Oisin Murphy.
The Godolphin colt readily put the race to bed to run out an impressive winner. Amazing Red (11-2) ran on strongly for second.
Winning jockey Murphy said: “He’s a lovely big horse for the future and I hope I’m not wrong but I think you’ll be hearing more about him as time goes on.
“I think he’s a horse that if he stays in one piece, can definitely go onto bigger and better things.”
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