Twice Over provides Prince Abdullah with much-coveted Juddmonte success

Twice Over, runner-up in the race 12 months ago, stuck his head out when it mattered to give jockey Ian Mongan the biggest win of his career.

The odds-on favourite Await the Dawn looked set to join the party entering the final quarter of a mile but could not match the turn of foot shown by the Cecil stablemates.

After sponsoring the famous Group One for over 20 years it was a fabulous race for owner Prince Kahlid Abdullah.

Cecil said: “I was very nervous but I really enjoyed it. I’m just so pleased for the Prince as he’s always wanted to win this race.

“He has sponsored this race for years and years and never won it before. I said to him if we didn’t win it today we’d have to wait for Frankel next year.”

Hopefully for all concerned with Yorkshire racing, success will not deter Cecil from his plan to run Frankel at York next year.

This was also a memorable race for Mongan who, having been second jockey at the Cecil stable for several years, claimed his first Group One.

“That was really special,” said jubilant Mongan.

“I have to say a big thank you to both Mr Cecil and the Prince. To be a part of this is just brilliant.

“I didn’t think we went that quick and perhaps Midday and Twice Over just have that turn of foot; he’s a true champion.”

Pacemaker Windsor Castle was still six lengths clear at the half-mile pole of the race when Joseph O’Brien, riding the favourite Await The Dawn, loomed up strongly to take the lead.

However, behind him the Kahlid Abdullah-pair were travelling with consummate ease, tracking the Aidan O’Brien runner.

Tom Queally, riding in the Abdullah first colours on board Midday, cruised into the lead with two furlongs to go, as both the Cecil-trained runners swamped the tiring Await The Dawn.

A fascinating duel ensued as Midday looked set for a seventh Group One win when taking a two-length lead inside the final furlong, but under a strong right-hand drive Midday drifted away from the stands rail allowing Mongan to storm down the centre of the track and join the leader.

Midday showed all of her legendary fight but was powerless to resist the winner’s late surge with Twice Over going on to win by three quarters of a length.

Midday should not have to wait long before trying to avenge the narrow defeat after Cecil revealed plans to run both in the Champions Stakes at Ascot in October.

Cecil said: “Twice Over is a fabulous horse and we’ll probably freshen him up and go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot. Midday will be entered in the same race and we’ll see what happens.”

Aidan O’Brien suggested he was to blame for the poor showing from Await the Dawn.

He said: “I don’t want to take anything away from the other two, but it has been a while since he ran at Ascot and maybe I should have given him another run or a racecourse gallop.

“America (Breeders’ Cup Classic) is still the long-term plan and we’ll try and find something in between.”

The famous green and pink silks of Khalid Abdullah were also seen to great effect when Sea Moon (7-2) annihilated his rivals in the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt is now as short as 6-4 for the season’s final classic, the St Leger, at Doncaster next month.

“It was highly impressive. We were hopeful, but I didn’t expect him to win like that,” said Stoute.

“He’s a lovely big horse with a good mind, and he’s progressed so well since he ran here at York in June. On that performance, he’s got a great chance in the Leger.”

Jockey Richard Hughes timed his mount’s challenge to perfection as Sea Moon stormed clear to win by eight lengths from Al Kazzem.