Horse Racing: Twice Over's lunge lands Juddmonte for Cecil

Last year's runner-up Twice Over lunged late to deny stablemate Midday in the Juddmonte International at York yesterday.

Sir Henry Cecil's dual Champion Stakes winner was ridden patiently by Ian Mongan and cruised into contention alongside Midday and odds-on favourite Await The Dawn, as the pacemaking Windsor Palace dropped away.

Await The Dawn was the first to feel the pinch, looking outpaced, while the two Cecil inmates battled it out. Midday looked to be getting the better of the argument heading inside the final furlong, but Twice Over (11-2) finished off his race best to score by three-quarters of a length.

Mongan, securing the biggest win of his career, said: "He's a true champion this horse and really stuck his neck out."

It was a fantastic result for the owner of the first two home, Khalid Abdullah, who owns Juddmonte Farms and was winning the race he sponsors for the first time.

Twice Over, narrowly beaten by Rip Van Winkle 12 months ago, had been enduring a disappointing season prior to a resurgent performance in the Sky Bet York Stakes here last month.

He looked to have it to do against Aidan O'Brien's progressive Hardwicke Stakes winner Await The Dawn and multiple Group One-winning mare Midday, but he showed he has lost none of his dash with an excellent late burst.

Today's big race at York is the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, and Blue Bunting's task has been made easier as Snow Fairy is a late absentee due to the ground. Ed Dunlop believes the ground at the Knavesmire is too soft for last year's dual Classic winner and instead intends to run her in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on Sunday.

Blue Bunting, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, will still face strong opposition from the likes of Banimpire and Laughing Lashes from the current Classic generation.

Meanwhile, Hamilton Park's season gets back up and running with a bang today as it hosts Scottish Trophy Day. It is the first of two afternoon meetings within five days following a rare two-week break, with racing also taking place at the Lanarkshire course on Monday. The highlight of seven races today is the 7,000 Scottish Trophy Stakes feature at 4.05pm, which has attracted a strong field of 16. Hamilton chief executive Vivien Kyles said: "Following a fantastic July we have all managed to recharge our batteries and the racecourse is in stunning condition."