Brian Meehan© Photo Healy Racing
Bacchus narrowly outpointed the gambled-on Dreamfield to claim the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
John Gosden’s Dreamfield returned from a near two-year absence to win at this track last month, his third victory from as many starts, and he was backed off the boards before being sent off the 2-1 favourite for this fiercely competitive 28-runner handicap.
The market leader was prominent from the start and led the field heading into the last of six furlongs.
However, Brian Meehan’s 33-1 shot Bacchus swiftly went in pursuit under champion jockey Jim Crowley and following a protracted duel it was the outsider who won the argument by a neck.
Major Jumbo and Tis Marvellous finished third and fourth respectively.
Meehan said: “I’m delighted. He’s a stunning horse and a real yard favourite.
“He’s not that young, but he’s got a huge future ahead of him.
“It was a terrible spring and we had a rough time with our horses. He took a long time to come to hand and he needed that extra time like a lot of them. It’s been tough.
“I said to the owners the spring didn’t go well. I won’t run him, I’ll go straight to the Wokingham with him.
“We’ve been talking about the Ayr Gold Cup and races like that as well. He’s tailor-made for the job.”
