THE Oleander-Rennen was not the only big race run in Germany on the Whit weekend and Monday saw a spectacular performance by Ancient Spirit, who made almost all the running and scored by four and a half lengths to win Cologne’s Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen (German 2,000 Guineas) from British challengers Fajjaj and Irish Fighter (both Irish-bred).

Trained by Jean-Pierre Carvalho, ridden by Filip Minarik and owned and bred by Stall Ullmann/Gestüt Schlenderhan, Ancient Spirit was the lowest-rated runner coming into the race and the longest outsider in the field at 21-1.