Almeric fends off King Of Cities for Feilden success

Andrew Balding’s fine start to the new Flat turf season continued as Almeric made a taking impression in the bet365 Feilden Stakes at Newmarket

Fresh from a four-timer at Newbury on Saturday, the Kingsclere handler wasted little time making his mark in racing’s heartland with this Listed success.

Sent off the 11-4 favourite, Oisin Murphy was always travelling well as he tracked the pace set by the Tom Marquand-ridden Green Storm and as the petrol tank began to flicker for Charlie Johnston’s front-runner, it was Almeric and Richard Hannon’s King Of Cities who were in prime position to take charge.

That duo pulled clear of the remainder in the closing stages, and after a tussle to the winning post, it was the son of Study Of Man who pulled out the required extra to be in command by a length at the line.

There was a stewards’ inquiry into the late battle but the placings remained unaltered, while Nightwalker galloped on to finish third on his first start for John and Thady Gosden.

Balding said: “He’s a smart horse and we were pretty hopeful going into today. He seems to be at home on slow ground and it’s great for Miss Rausing as he’s obviously a homebred and a lovely horse going forward.

“Oisin said he was just getting tired at the end as they went very hard and he was probably running on fumes a little bit, just because it was a searching gallop and it was his first run of the year.

“He’s got a French Derby entry I think and certainly an Irish Derby entry and a German Derby entry. We’re delighted to win today and we’ll just have to see how things pan out.

“I think the likelihood is we’ll look at York (Dante) and France would be the preferred option, I think.”