THE same sponsor’s Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes over six furlongs produced a tremendous finish as Richard Fahey’s Sands Of Mali, having made all the running, held Invincible Army by a nose with Emblazoned third and 2,000 Guineas seventh James Garfield in fourth.

Sands Of Mali, 100/30, had beaten Invincible Army more comfortably in the Gimcrack last year, after which he ran poorly in the Middle Park before a fair effort over a longer trip in the Breeders’ Cup. Already successful in France this term, he again demonstrated terrific speed here, the first two recording a very fast time.