Lake Forest flew fast and late to justify favouritism in the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes.
William Haggas' mount finished second to Witness Stand in the race last season and that rival looked to have the field in trouble again when kicking from the front two furlongs out.
Kieran Shoemark's partner still held a healthy lead a furlong later but both the winner and eventual runner-up Rogue Diplomat were gathering momentum.
They swept past inside the distance and the 10/11 favourite always held a narrow advantage from that point on, winning by a neck under Cieren Fallon.
Lennox Stakes result
1st Lake Forest 10/11 fav
2nd Rogue Diplomat 16/1
3rd Witness Stand 17/2
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Post-race reaction
Fallon told ITV Racing: "He's a very special horse and a yard favourite really. We had to go to Plan B as things didn't really work out the way I thought they would but he's tough. He doesn't do much in front so it wasn't really ideal that I was in the middle of the track with no competition but when he felt some on his outside he knuckled down.
"I was always confident I was going to catch Kieran but I knew James Owen's horse would be very strong as he stays further and I knew he was chasing me after I forced him wide earlier. It stands us in good stead if he goes for the Sussex Stakes tomorrow because he hasn't had a hard race."
Maureen Haggas, assistant to her husband William, said: “We thought there would be lots of pace and there was not, so I thought Lake Forest ran really well. He is a totally different horse since being gelded. It is extraordinary what difference that can make.
“He has always been a talented horse, but you could never have called him consistent because he was absolutely brilliant one day, whereas the next day he just could not be bothered. It seems to have made him more consistent – and that is great.”
On running tomorrow, she added: “The owners are up for it, and we have plenty of time to decide. He has got nothing until York and does not have to do any travelling. He is pretty laid back, so unless something happens overnight, I would imagine that is the plan. If he is okay, why not?"
"We have done it once or twice a year. We did it with a filly the other night. She was second on both runs but definitely ran better the second night. Martin Pipe always said if you run them on consecutive days, they always run better the second time. If you have a day in between, not so much.”
James Owen said of Rogue Diplomat: “He is a lovely horse, our first Royal Ascot winner. It was punchy coming here, but he had been working well. I would have loved the ground to have been a little easier because it would have really played to his strengths, as he is the sort of seven-furlong-to-mile horse who comes home strong. He gets on exceptionally well with Harry [Davies], who gave him a great ride.
"I think we will give him a little break now, then head for the Foret and probably on to Champions Day for the mile. He has been busy – he ran in the Lincoln – and I am keen to let him develop. He is a lovely horse for next season as well. It is great for a syndicate to have a horse like this. I think he is a proper Group One horse in time, when he gets there.”
Co-trainer Jamie Insole said of Witness Stand: “I am delighted – he loves the track. I thought he had nicked it. The ground was maybe a bit quicker today than last year, and perhaps that found him out a little, helping the closers, but he has run a brilliant race. Lake Forest is a seriously good horse, so I think the form is there for everyone to see.”
Kieran Shoemark added: “I am really happy with Witness Stand. We got our own way on the front end and was able to kick when I wanted to. Credit to the horse, he ran a huge race and there are no excuses.”
Latest Sky Bet City Of York Stakes betting
The sponsors both cut the winner to 5/1 from 6/1 for the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes next month.
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