Duo dead-heat in Champagne Stakes

Silent Times and Close To You battle to the line at Doncaster

Silent Times (6-1) and Close To You (8-1) fought out a tremendous finish to dead-heat in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

Silent Times, ridden by Jamie Spencer, had set the early pace but found himself challenged by his rival, under the guidance of John Egan, in the final couple of furlongs.

Close To You looked set for victory but Spencer got one last challenge out of his horse and the pair dipped for the line together.

After several minutes studying the photo-finish print, the judge decided he could not split the pair and it was the third dead heat in the history of the race.

Killybegs was a length and three-quarters away in third place.

Silent Times' trainer Eoghan O'Neill said: "I have never had a winner at Doncaster before and that is fantastic.

"I'll probably put him away for the season now and the only other race I would consider would be the Breeders' Cup Juvenile because I think he would be well suited by the dirt."

It was Spencer's second win of the day after the 100-30 favourite Sendintank triumphed in the Mallard Stakes.

Spencer went for home with two furlongs to go and overhauled long-time leader Cristoforo late on to win by three quarters of a length.

Sendintank has now shortened in the betting for the totesport Cesarewitch to around 7-1.

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Champagne Stakes
1. dd-ht Close To You (J F Egan) 8-1
1. dd-ht Silent Times (J P Spencer) 6-1
3. Killybegs (M Hills) 9-4 Fav
7 ran

Mallard Stakes
1. Sendintank (J P Spencer) 10-3 Fav
2. Cristoforo (T P Queally) 11-1
3. Lost Soldier Three (K Fallon) 8-1
12 ran