There was further evidence of the wide-open nature of Europe's sprinting division this season when No Half Measures landed the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup at Newmarket. The 66/1 shot is trained by Richard Hughes who was saddling his first Group 1 winner.

Ridden by Neil Callan, the four-year-old filly by Cable Bay raced on the outside of the field, furthest away from the stands' rail.

As the six-furlong event reached the business end she was picking off rivals and after locking horns with Big Mojo, it was No Half Measures who came out on top by a neck with a further length and three-quarters back to Run To Freedom in third, his second time to place in the race. Believing was fourth, just ahead of the favourite Notable Speech.

No Half Measures is owned by Richard Gallagher, son of Pat, owner of 2024 Scottish Grand National winner Macdermott. Bred by Sally Nicholls, she was bought for £34,000 at the Goffs UK Yearling Sale by Hughes.

Callan, from Kildare (as is Hughes), returned to British racing in 2021 following 10 years in Hong Kong. He said: "To be honest, the last couple of years I was a bit buried. When I came back from Hong Kong I had two Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot but last year and this year I have struggled. I've been waiting for that one horse.

"When Hughesie called me I thought he had the wrong person! He said 'Do you want to ride in the Group 1?' and I said I'd love to. He told me she was an outsider but she had good form over six furlongs, is genuine and will run her race.

"You have to believe she could run a big race. I didn't chase the strong pace and when I got after her she responded. When we hit the front, it was surreal. You cannot beat the Group 1s."

Hughes, who rode Oasis Dream to win the July Cup in 2003, said: "We didn't want to run her at Royal Ascot over five furlongs on fast ground but we said we would take a chance here, with the uphill finish, on firm ground over six."

Reflecting on his 10 years to-date as a trainer, Hughes told ITV Racing: "It's a hard game. I wasn't champion jockey overnight. These things take time and I have a good team around me.

"If you don't have the horses you can't train winners. Our quality of horse has gone up a bit this year and they are winning, so it's great.

"It's a tough gig. We buy 25 horses on spec every year and there are some sleepless nights leading up to Christmas trying to sell them."

He credited his wife Lizzie (Hannon) as a rock of support through tough times and also acknowledged his late father, Dessie Hughes. "I'd say he helped me there," the emotional trainer said.