Alphonse Le Grande claims second Cesarewitch win in tight Newmarket finish

Alphonse Le Grande won the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket for the second time, taking the 29-runner race at odds of 18-1 after a close finish with Sea Lantern. The Guardian's live coverage of Saturday's Future Champions Festival reported that the victory gave trainer Tony Martin his third success in the historic staying handicap.

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Patrick McGettigan, riding with a five-pound claim, brought Alphonse Le Grande through to challenge in the closing stages. Sea Lantern finished second, with Dawn Rising third and High Fibre fourth. The winner and runner-up crossed the line together in a tight finish, after High Fibre had led as the field entered the final furlong.

The race developed over two miles and two furlongs, with Premier Ligne and Sax Appeal among the early leaders. Goolagong moved to the front later in the contest before High Fibre made his bid. Sea Lantern then challenged as Alphonse Le Grande finished strongly, producing a late change in the order at the head of the field.

The result placed Alphonse Le Grande in a small historical group. According to the Guardian, he became only the second horse to win the Cesarewitch in non-consecutive years since the race was first run in 1839. Aaim To Prosper had previously achieved that feat with victories in 2010 and 2012. It was a repeat success for the horse as well as another win in the race for Martin.

Sea Lantern had attracted support before the start and was the clear favourite at 9-2 in the Guardian's pre-race betting update. Dawn Rising was next at 11-2. Both finished in the first three, but neither could prevent McGettigan and Alphonse Le Grande from taking the victory at considerably longer odds.

Elsewhere on the Newmarket card, Darkness Falls beat Desert Castle in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes under Ryan Moore. That completed a double for Aidan O'Brien following Drumbeat's victory in the Zetland Stakes. Andrew Balding also had a notable result, training the first three home in the Darley Stakes: Humidity, The Lost King and High Stock.