ROGER Charlton’s Captain Cat, who was too far out of his ground when Bow Creek kicked for home in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood, made no such mistake in the Group 3 betfred.com Superior Mile and beat Balty Boys by a tidy length and a half to justify 15/8 favouritism. Ocean Tempest was only a head away but Short Squeeze, winner of a hot handicap at York, finished stone last.

The winner is progressive at five and has shown himself to be every bit as good on grass as he was on the all-weather. He was still on the bit when hitting the front well over a furlong out and needed only to be kept up to his work by George Baker to score in style.

“Roger thinks he’s in the best shape since he’s had him,’’ said owner Barry Hurley. “He will go for the Joel Stakes at Newmarket, which is a Group 2 now, and then, I hope, to Dubai for the Dubai Duty Free.’’

GOSDEN

John Gosden’s 10/1 chance Nautilus defied 9st 7lb in the Betfred TV Old Borough Cup over a mile and three-quarters, beating the in-form Epsom Hill by a length with Communicator and Novirak filling the minor places.

However, the drama came at the start, where Luca Cumani’s Havana Cooler, 4/1 favourite, exited the stalls awkwardly and deposited Richard Hughes on the turf.

Considering his game York success had left him on a 4lb higher mark, Glenard ran a cracker from in front and kept on for fifth.

Epsom Hill hit the front and was in no mood to give in but Nautilus and Nicky Mackay, given a welcome chance with William Buick at Ascot, got to him 75 yards out and forged clear.

The winner was dropped right out this time. He still had the entire field to pass halfway up the straight but did it well.

“Last time he ran off with me (at Newmarket) and today he was the complete opposite but when he jumped the stalls I thought he’d blown it,’’ Mackay said. “To be fair to the horse he’s quite versatile.’’

Nautilus may have to take on listed opposition next time and Epsom Hill faces another stiff hike in the handicap.

Mick Channon is in excellent form now and his three-year old Kickboxer was another 10/1 winner in the opening Betfred Mobile Be Friendly Handicap honouring Sir Peter O’Sullevan’s dual winner of the big sprint later on.

Kickboxer was too good for the older horses and provided Luke Morris with the first leg of a double completed by Sir Mark Prescott’s 11/8 favourite Celestial Path in the listed mile event for two-year-olds.