Muhannak is marathon man

Ralph Beckett's Muhannak struck for Europe by landing the Breeders' Cup Marathon at Santa Anita.

For much of the race it seemed as though Sixties Icon would justify his position as favourite but having travelled well to the turn for home, he met with trouble in running.

In contrast the winner was always close to the pace under Pat Smullen and went for home two furlongs out.

It was a crucial move and with Sixties Icon finding little for pressure, it was left to Church Service to chase the winner to the line.

Big Booster was third.

Magnificent

The victory caps a magnificent season for Beckett, who won the Epsom Oaks with Look Here.

It is the first winner for the European team since 2006 after drawing a blank on a grim day 12 months ago, and it was Smullen's first winner at the Breeders' Cup.

Smullen said: "I didn't think there would probably be much pace on, so I wanted to sit in a good position.

"This horse has improved so much in the last six months and he's a great credit to his trainer.

"It's a dream come true for me. To ride a Breeders' Cup winner, I really can't believe it to be honest."

Dettori said: "We went slow and I tried to get him into the race without going nine wide but in the straight he didn't show the turn of foot I was expecting.

"The disappointing thing was that he didn't really finish and the others were going away from me at the end."

Jeremy Noseda, Sixties Icon's trainer, added: "I shall have to go and look at the film before making any comment."