RACING: Jim Bolger's Alexander Goldrun, ridden by Kevin Manning, held off the late surge of Bullish Luck by a short head to capture the Hong Kong Cup, the world's richest 10-furlong turf event with a first prize of £720,000, at Sha Tin racecourse yesterday.

Bolger's vastly improved three-year-old got the better of Bullish Luck by a short head with Touch Of Land three-quarters of a length away in third and Aidan O'Brien's Powerscourt in fourth.

Alexander Goldrun won the Prix l'Opera at Longchamp in early October on her previous start and Bolger said: "We did plan to come here if we got invited because there was nothing else in between for the filly. I was happy with her from the word go, I knew she was at the top of her game and was hopeful she would run a big race.

He added: "As she didn't have a great draw we couldn't have a game plan but Kevin gave her a brilliant ride."

Manning said: "She jumped well and I had a good run all the way."

Phoenix Reach gave his trainer Andrew Balding something to cheer about towards the end of an indifferent season with a battling success in the Hong Kong Vase.

Last season's St Leger third and Canadian International winner had been below form on his first three starts this year, but showed signs that he was on the way back when sixth in the Japan Cup two weeks ago.

And under a positive ride from Martin Dwyer he repaid his connections' patience with a half-length call over Godolphin's Sights Of Gold, with last year's victor Vallee Enchantee a further length and a half back in third.

Dwyer kicked on early in the straight off a steady pace and he kept enough up his sleeve to hold off Frankie Dettori's mount in a rousing finish.

Dettori and Godolphin went one better in the Hong Kong Mile when Firebreak came with a late rattle to land the spoils by three-quarters of a length from Perfect Partner to round off a marvellous year for the Dubai operation.

Firebreak had won the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes at Newmarket last time out and was having only his fifth start of the year.

"Last year he was an unlucky fifth in this race because he couldn't get out," said Dettori.

"He can't take too much racing and he needs to be lightly trained as he was this season but when he's right he's a very good horse like he showed today. You can set a clock by him as he's so consistent."

Meanwhile trainer Dusty Sheehy is eyeing a rematch with Moscow Flyer for his Rathgar Beau after the eight-year-old gelding landed the featured Hilly Way Chase at a packed Cork yesterday.

However, Sheehy is under no illusions regarding Rathgar Beau's chances of beating Moscow Flyer over Christmas, reporting, "we'll go to Leopardstown but will probably have to settle for second to Moscow Flyer, although that wouldn't be a bad thing. Longterm, he'll be entered in the Queen Mother Chase at Cheltenham but his most likely target is the new 2m 5f Chase at Cheltenham next March."

Rathgar Beau, whose recent opponents have included Moscow Flyer, Beef Or Salmon and Kicking King, did not need much driving from Shay Barry when recording his seven length win over Central House.