Repeat Falmouth win for Soviet

Johnny Murtagh produced a well-timed run on Soviet Song to give the James Fanshawe-trained filly a second consecutive success in the UAE Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket. 

There was only a fair gallop for the mile Group One event and the winner still had a considerable amount of ground to make up with a furlong and a half to run.

But the 7-4 shot picked up instantly once Johnny Murtagh popped the question and she swept though the field, running out a cosy two-and-a-half-length winner from Jim Bolger's Alexander Goldrun, piloted by Kevin Manning.

Eventual third Peeress led for most of the way under Mick Kinane, who made a break for home with two furlongs to run.

At that stage, with Soviet Song out of the picture, Alexander Goldrun was travelling smoothly and looked the likely winner when hitting the front with over a furlong to go.

However, the leading pair had no answer to the multiple Group-winning mare's challenge down the centre of the track and had to settle for minor honours.

Johnny Murtagh added afterwards: "ames was very confident. He said to drop her out, get her relaxed and get her usual turn of foot. It worked perfectly for me today."

Jim Bolger, trainer of Alexander Goldrun, said: "There are no excuses - the winner is just a much better miler than we are. Ours is better at a mile two, but she is also good over a mile.

"We'll have a look at the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, but I'm in no hurry to take on Soviet Song again, although it has been fun trying.

"She won't be going to the Breeders' Cup as she hasn't been nominated and it is a prohibitive entry fee, but I'm hoping we get invited back to Hong Kong.

"The ground and the track were perfect. There were no excuses and I'm not looking for any."

Mick Kinane said of Peeress: "She has run well and has finished behind two genuine Group One fillies.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute added: "I'm very pleased with her. We keep asking her another question and she keeps answering them."