Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1)

BOOKMAKERS must have been reeling after the first three favourites scored, but help was at hand in the shape of 33/1 outsider Bayside Boy (Roger Varian/Tom Marquand) who finished with a flourish to cause an upset in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Wearing blinkers for just the second time, Bayside Boy was slow into stride, although not as slow as hot favourite Inspiral, who badly missed the kick in what Frankie Dettori later referred to as “one of those cigar moments.”

The pair raced in rear, with Marquand in no panic to make up lost ground in a race run at a fair gallop set by Jadoomi (Simon & Ed Crisford/James Doyle), and Bayside Boy was still last at halfway.

Relentless

Belatedly asked for an effort two furlongs out, the son of New Bay made relentless progress to reel in the leaders, and he seemed to quicken again in the last half-furlong, surging past the pace-setter Jadoomi to win by a length and a quarter.

Modern Games (Charlie Appleby/Will Buick) caught that gelding on the line to claim second, with Inspiral and The Revenant both running rather lifeless races.

With David Egan riding stablemate El Drama, Tom Marquand came in for the ride on Bayside Boy at the 11th hour, so it was a dream result for the jockey.

There are no immediate plans for Bayside Boy, but Modern Games and Jadoomi were both confirmed as on course for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland next month by their respective trainers.

Varian said: “We thought Bayside Boy was a lively outsider. I’m not going to say I thought we would win because he would need to step up massively. However, he did have very good juvenile form. He won the Champagne Stakes, was third in the Dewhurst and he didn’t enjoy the firm ground in the summer.

“I am delighted for the owners and the team at Ballylinch Stud. They have been very patient with him. I am delighted with him today. He showed a great turn of foot. We’ll enjoy this moment. I hope he is a horse who will still be with us next year. I’m not sure what’s next, but we’ll enjoy today.”

Marquand said: “It was very kind of the team to let me on board. It’s hard to come across Group 1 spares and this was one of them. I have a feeling it’s my first win for Roger. I’m very fortunate and it was very kind of Richard Ryan to have me aboard.”

Emily earns her rewards for Dettori

British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

EMILY Upjohn gave Frankie Dettori a quick double when proving a class apart in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

The Oaks runner-up had flopped over the course and distance in the King George but put that behind her with a career-best effort to slam her rivals by three lengths and more in what had looked one of the more open races on the Ascot card.

Backed into 3/1 favouritism, Emily Upjohn travelled kindly in a first-time hood, and quickly put the race to bed when Dettori asked her to quicken early in the straight, sweeping past long-time leader Rosscarbery and 2021 winner Eshaada at the two-furlong pole.

Thunder Kiss (Ger Lyons/Gary Carroll) and Insinuendo (Willie McCreery/Oisin Orr) both stayed on well from off the pace to fill the minor places at lengthy odds.

Speaking of her poor run on her previous try here in July, John Gosden said: “I will never work out the King George as long as I live. Full marks to Pyledriver who let everyone go mad up front – I don’t know what they all did, last one to Swinley Bottom is a sissy, or something.

“The whole team have done a great job with her, and to get her confidence back, that’s the other thing.

“When you run a race like that and finish a distance last, you’re going to be a little shaken mentally, but she showed her class today.

“She was unlucky in the Oaks and thank God we won a Group 1 this year. She stays in training and the aims next year will be the King George and the Arc. She’s won her Group 1 and we’ll let her have a holiday now.”

Balmoral Handicap

The day ended with the Balmoral Handicap over a mile, and it was the outsider of the party, Shelir (David O’Meara/Jason Watson) coming through late to win at 80/1.

A year earlier he had led until inside the final furlong when unplaced, and he seemed to benefit from a change of tactics.