Equiano Hangs For Abernant Glory

Equiano edges the photo.

Equiano has now experienced both sides of a tight finish to the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes but this year the luck was on his side at Newmarket.

Last season the sprinter was touched off by Tax Free in the Listed event but the line came to his aid this time around as he thwarted the lunging finish of Mullionmileanhour.

It was the first time Equiano (11-4 favourite) had won since taking the 2008 King's Stand at Royal Ascot, when trained in Spain, and his current handler Barry Hills is likely to aim him for the same race again.

Hills' son Michael had his own way in front for much of proceedings although Mullionmileanhour, outpaced in the early stages, summoned a powerful finish and was beaten just a short head.

Hills senior said: "I did actually think he had got up, but in another stride the other horse would have got him.

"He's very good when you catch him right but he is quirky. I think he's better over five furlongs.

"The King's Stand is the main race really, but there's one at Chantilly that the owner would be keen to go to."

Mullionmileanhour's trainer John Best reflected: "Everyone came up to tell me we had won! It is disappointing to lose but he has run very well.

"He is quite delicate but if he's OK he will go for the Duke Of York Stakes then hopefully the Golden Jubilee."Wigmore Hall (10-1) turned the Book For The Irish Classics At curragh.ie Handicap into a procession for Michael Bell and Jamie Spencer, who never moved a muscle as his mount came home in a common canter.