Wigmore Hall survived a long stewards' inquiry into the 51st John Smith's Cup at York.
Royal winner in the John Smith's Silver Cup
Wigmore Hall survived a long stewards' inquiry into the 51st John Smith's Cup at York.
It was a nervous wait for jockey Martin Lane before he could savour the biggest moment of his career.
Lane's mount had clashed with Jamie Spencer and Kings Gambit in the closing stages of the £150,000 handicap and only a short-head split the pair at the post.
The 24-year-old Lane jumped at the opportunity to combine with Newmarket trainer Michael Bell for the first time here, aboard a clearly smart individual competing right at the bottom of the weights as the only three-year-old in the race.
Wigmore Hall had been beaten at short prices in several small field events but had produced a fine show at Royal Ascot when third in the Hampton Court Stakes.
Lane was deliberately slow from the stalls in order to get cover for the 5-1 shot but once exposed at the furlong marker, he found his mount drifting right with the pair all out to repel Kings Gambit.
Lane said: "I found out I'd got the ride on Monday and just to get the call was a great day, nearly as good as today.
"It's my biggest win by a long way, I'd won a handicap on Derby day before but that was about it, and to win on my first ride for someone like Mr Bell in a race like this is just great.
"When I saw they we coming up the middle in the previous race I thought I'd take my time and get a good position.
"I sat on him on Friday and the only problem with him is that he doesn't like small fields, but in a big field like this he's a different horse.
Short head
"If it had been a nose it (the stewards' inquiry) might have gone the other way as mine lost his action 75 yards from the line and gave Jamie a bump, but luckily we got home by a short head."
Bell was at his son's sports day while owner Mark Hawtin was in America.
Hawtin's racing manager Lucy Lawson said: "We thought about this race straight after Ascot, but we were a bit worried we might not get in and he only managed it by two.
"He's actually entered here in the Group One (Juddmonte International) but we will just have to see about that."
Tom Tate, trainer of Kings Gambit, rued his luck, saying: "This was nearly the biggest day of my career, but that's the way it goes I suppose.
"He's run a cracking race and Jamie was certain he'd get it in the stewards' room."
Royal winner
A big Knavesmire crowd ensured a huge roar of approval for a Royal winner, as Ryan Moore drove Free Agent (15-2) clear of 9-4 favourite Drunken Sailor in the Listed John Smith's Silver Cup.
Richard Hannon's gelding won the Chesham Stakes at two but had only returned to the course this year when fourth at Windsor a fortnight ago. "He could come back for the Ebor," said Moore.
