Stotsfold lands Brigadier Gerard

STOTSFOLD improved on his third of 12 months earlier to claim the scalp of Tazeez by a neck in the Blue Square Brigadier Gerard Stakes on a top class card at Sandown last night.

Walter Swinburn's 7-1 chance went on to take third in the Arlington Million last summer and the trainer is eyeing another international campaign after the globetrotter returned to winning ways.

Sir Michael Stoute tasted defeat in the race last year with subsequent Breeders' Cup winner Conduit, and his Glass Harmonium was also turned over when third as the 13-8 favourite.

Swinburn said: "Stotsfold is a true international horse and that is where his future lies. He comes alive when he is abroad and races like the Arlington Million again are the plan."

Akmal staked his claim for the Ascot Cold Cup with a gutsy all-the-way success in the Blue Square Henry II Stakes.

The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned four-year-old, who is trained by John Dunlop, enjoyed a steep ascent through the ranks last year, culminating in a Group 3 win, but flopped on his two previous outings this summer.

However, with positive tactics employed by Richard Hills, the 4-1 chance made all and shrugged off the attentions of Saptapadi to score by a length and a half. Dunlop said: "He is a big, heavy, idle horse and it took a couple of runs back to find his form. He has to go to the Ascot Gold Cup now."

At Ayr earlier in the day Where's Romeo enjoyed a taking success in the EBF Maiden Stakes. The David Brown-trained colt, who finished second on his debut at Warwick, was heavily backed into 15-8 favouritism. He ably justified the hype with a commanding performance under Graham Gibbons, who had three-quarters of a length in hand of Extra Power following a protracted duel.

Gibbons brought home a double aboard Templetuohy Max, the 13-8 joint-favourite for the Access Plus Handicap.