Apostle claims narrow Diadem win

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Replay: Diadem Stakes at Ascot

King's Apostle sprang a surprise when winning the Diadem Stakes at Ascot on Sunday by a neck ahead of Diabolical.

The 12-1 shot, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Liam Jones, just edged out Frankie Dettori's well-backed mount, who was sent off 11-2 favourite.

Sir Gerry (13-2) was third in a tight finish, ahead of Prime Defender.

King's Apostle got his nose in front having been third in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot and second in the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

Maureen Haggas, wife of trainer William, said the application of a visor appeared to help the horse in the Group Two contest.

"He's not been over-raced this year and ran a cracking race here in the Wokingham and the Stewards' Cup," she said.

"He was going to race in Singapore at the end of last year but we kept him here to get some black type (for winning a Listed race) and he's rewarded us."

Sixties Icon booked his ticket to the Breeders' Cup for a crack at the new marathon race with victory in the Grosvenor Casinos Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot.

The 11-10 favourite, winner of the 2006 St Leger, stood still as the gates opened.

But Dettori soon galvanised Sixties Icon and he enjoyed a dream passage through his rivals as a gap opened inside the final two furlongs.

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John Guest Diadem Stakes, Ascot

1 King's Apostle (W Haggas) L Jones 12-1

2 Diabolical (L Dettori) 11-2 fav

3 Sir Gerry (J P Spencer) 13-2

15 ran