Racing:The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York went to William Haggas' Approve in the hands of Eddie Ahern this afternoon. The 8-1 shot, winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June, was under strong driving some way from home but kept responding to his jockey's urgings.
The previously unbeaten Temple Meads travelled best into the final furlong but he was unable to repel Approve, who got up to score by three-quarters of a length.
Crown Prosecutor edged out Sir Reginald for the runner-up spot.
"It was a straight five on the edge and he likes that," said Ahern. "When I rode him in the July Stakes he was on the rails and he didn't like that.
"When I saw the draw I was delighted to be honest, to be right on the edge.
"He needed every yard of the six so I committed early."
Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "He's just the toughest two-year-old and a really excellent horse to be involved with.
"In France last time he just seemed to lose concentration and Eddie said, with tongue in cheek, if he'd ridden him he would have won.
"William trained the winner of this for us a few years ago with Conquest."
Haggas was thrilled to land another success and added: "It's fantastic to win this race again. As a Yorkshireman, to win it once was great but obviously twice is even better.
"It's no mean performance to win it with a penalty.
"He lost his way in France a bit but today he was a Group winner and the rest had only won maidens and there was the Super Sprint winner too.
"I can hardly say this has been the plan and I've no idea where we go next."
The runner-up's trainer Brian Meehan said: "It was a very pleasing run. We looked like we'd got the beating of the Super Sprint winner (Temple Meads) but then found the other one too good on the line.
"He's come back from Goodwood well and he's in all the races at the end of the season."
Sir Reginald is owned by Channel 4 Racing pundit Jim McGrath, who said: "We're delighted with that. He's obviously a useful horse and if we place him right, he could win a Listed race."
Temple Meads eventually passed the post in fourth and his trainer Ed McMahon, added: "He ran with the choke out slightly. It looked like he hadn't stayed, but I think he just needs more cover.
"You've not seen the best of him yet."
Opinion Poll put up a determined effort under Frankie Dettori to land the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup. The Michael Jarvis-trained four-year-old drifted out to 9-2 before the off with doubts about his ability to handle the quickening ground and he was settled towards the rear by Frankie Dettori.
Samuel travelled well for much of the contest and King Of Wands was also produced to challenge inside the final furlong, but Opinion Poll found most down the outside to beat the former by half a length.
Dettori said: "You dont want too many of these in one day. He was quite lazy half-way through the race.
"We had to knuckle down deep in the last two, but I knew there was plenty in the locker.
"He is a much better horse on soft ground but he showed great guts today.
"The autumn is going to be scorching when he gets the ground."
Jarvis' assistant Roger Varian said: "It's a bit frustrating. We can run him on good ground but everybody knows he's better on softer.
"He's not had soft ground since he won at Nottingham. He lets himself down on good ground, but not on anything quicker.
"In hindsight, it was a good decision not to run him in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and hopefully we can have a good autumn with him.
"He's very relaxed, which gives him every chance of staying even further."
John Gosden, trainer of both Samuel and the third King Of Wands, added: "They both ran great. They could have done with a stronger pace but Richard (Hills, on Akmal) slowed it down in front and that's his business."