Wise Approach overcomes scare at the start to swoop in Middle Park

Wise Approach produced a remarkable performance to get up and win the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The Charlie Appleby-trained 11-8 favourite had a real scare when the stalls opened for the Group One contest, stumbling quite badly. William Buick maintained the partnership, but found himself at the rear of the field and then had to switch widest of all to make his challenge.

Brussels looked all over like he would win for Aidan O’Brien, before Wise Approach appeared from seemingly nowhere and Coppull also powered up the stands side. Despite drifting to his left, the burst of the Godolphin runner was enough to conquer Brussels by three-quarters of a length, with Coppull just short head behind.

Brussels and Coppull came close together in the final strides, but the placings remained unaltered following a stewards’ inquiry.

Appleby said: “It is some performance to be fair to the horse. All joking apart, of course we never expected to stumble coming out of the stalls, but the plan was to drop in.

“I felt in the Prix Morny (finished third), William gave him a great ride, but when he gave him a kick he was electric that day and then I felt the horse just pulled up in front, so I did say to William ‘put him there on the line today’. He did that, but it’s never easy to watch!

“Full credit to William and full credit to the horse – he’s got an engine. I think he’s given us glimpses of it, to be fair. He won his maiden, me and York just don’t go hand in hand and then he ran well at Ascot behind Gstaad when we were on the other side of the track.

“He’s battle-hardened horse by Mehmas and a half-brother to a good sprinter (Perfect Power).

“I’d say we’ll put him away for this year and aim at the Commonwealth Cup next year.”

Of Brussels, O’Brien said: “He’s a big, strong, fast horse and we were delighted with that run really.

“He looked good first time out, but he’s been a bit babyish and he was babyish again today. I think it’ll come, but he’s very big and I’d say all the experience he’s getting this year will stand him in good stead for next year.

“He’s not short of speed. I’d imagine we’ll leave him alone until next year now.

“We might try seven furlongs next year, but he’s probably not slow looking at him today. We’ll probably have a look at a Classic with him and see how it goes.”

Clive Cox was full of praise for Coppull’s run, saying: “He’s run a wonderful race and backed up the display that he put up in the Richmond. I’m very proud of him and I think we can all look forward to next year with a lot of hope and confidence that he’s going to maintain that Group One effort.

“I thought for a moment he got a bit disorganised in the dip, but he fairly rattled home.

“I think with a winter’s normal progress we’ll see him in the highest league next year, with the Commonwealth Cup being an obvious target.

“He’s a joy to train and hopefully we can build on the promise he’s shown this year.”