William Buick gained valuable impetus in his battle for the apprentice jockey title with his first Group-race victory in the intercasino.co.uk St Simon Stakes at Newbury.

While decent handicaps have fallen the way of the youngster, whose battle with David Probert for the championship is set to go right down to the wire, his partnership with Buccellati has taken him onto bigger and better things.

Andrew Balding's four-year-old has risen right through the ranks and scored at 15-2 after a prolonged battle with Blue Monday.

"William has just always got on well with him," said Balding.

"The horse just thrives on racing. His only disappointing run was in Turkey when he didn't quite let himself down on the fast ground.

"We might get an invite for the Hong Kong Vase now and the genuine good to firm at Sha Tin would be fine."

The 8-13 favourite Ask trailed in last.

With stable jockey Ryan Moore on Breeders' Cup duty and a full schedule of racing occupying many of his other usual back-up options, Sir Michael Stoute booked Christophe Soumillon in the Mountgrange Stud Stakes and the Belgian was certainly taken with the 15-2 winner Evasive.

Not for the first time eventual runner-up Bonnie Charlie did not have luck on his side as he overcame traffic problems to close to within half a length, but Soumillon's move at the three furlong marker had stolen the show.

"I started my run maybe 100 yards too early but he won like a very good horse," said Soumillon.

"Because he is so big, it's not easy for him in races like this when the ground is slow. He was very generous when I asked him to quicken and I think he will be a nice horse for the big races next year."

Peter Chapple-Hyam's Monitor Closely (8-11 favourite) put his form to good use in division one of the Hildon EBF Maiden Stakes despite being in front for a long time and may now go for Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Division two was in a slightly quicker time as Your Old Pal scoffed at his 33-1 odds by streaking eight lengths clear, while the EBF Inkerman London Fillies' Handicap went to the Ed Dunlop-trained Izzibizzi (20-1).

The stamina-sapping conditions played into the hands of gritty northern raider Summer Fete (11-4 joint-favourite) who took the Listed Play Blackjack At intercasino.co.uk Stakes for Bryan Smart and Tom Eaves.

Serena Brotherton secured the Bathwick Tyres Lady Jockeys' Championship Handicap and the title to boot as crack hurdler Blazing Bailey (6-4 favourite) took advantage of a very lenient Flat mark.