Hamish humbles Hukum for emotional Haggas after overcoming injury troubles

It was not the Ebor but that did not matter one little bit for the vast team behind Group 3 Unibet September Stakes hero Hamish, who made a winning return to action after more than 14 months off the track with a tendon injury.

Indeed, Maureen Haggas, wife and assistant to winning trainer William, had to take a moment to hold back the tears after the horse she rides every day on the gallops stayed on resolutely to hold off odds-on favourite Hukum by a neck under Pat Dobbs.

"It's quite a relief," said Haggas. "He did a tendon in the Hardwicke last year which was very disappointing and it's been a big team effort [to get him back]. He went to Laura Thomas and she did all the rehab with her vet Jeremy Swan and we owe her an awful lot. She had him for months and months."

A late non-runner from last month's Ebor at York due to quick going, Hamish may well have benefited from an extra two weeks before his return to action, according to Haggas, who will be nervously checking in on the five-year-old in the morning.

Maureen Haggas on Hamish: 'he's in the stayers' race at Ascot on Champions Day but he's got to stay sound'Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"It has not done him any harm fitness-wise and it probably did him good to have a day out and not run at York," she said. "The ground was much too quick for him that day so we did the right thing.

"It's really hard to get these horses with a tendon [injury] back and to win a Group race is great for the family. We just want a bit of soft ground now and we'll see how we go.

"He should stay a mile and six plus and he's in the stayers' race at Ascot on Champions Day but he's got to stay sound."

Hukum, sent off the 30-100 favourite after two Group 3 wins this season, failed by a neck to give away a 3lb penalty to the winner and future plans remain fluid.

Trainer Owen Burrows, who reported to the stewards that Hukum "made a respiratory noise", said: "We'll see how he is when he gets back and make sure there's nothing untoward and go from there.

"He was never going to go for the Arc and I don't think the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, which is sharp, is going to suit. I'd like to take him to Dubai next year for the Sheema Classic but it's all up for discussion."

Landmark win

On the day stable stalwart Prince Of Arran ran his last last race, Eve Lodge gave Newmarket trainer Charlie Fellowes his first domestic Group win in the Unibet-backed Sirenia Stakes.

A combination of relief and joy emanated from Fellowes, who has previously been on the mark at Group level with Prince Of Arran in Australia but had to wait the best part of a decade to finally do the same in Britain.

"It's been eight years coming and I've finished second so many times [in Group races] that I've lost count, but I've always believed in this filly," said Fellowes.

Charlie Fellowes with Eve Lodge after winning his first domestic Group race at KemptonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved so far but when there is a monkey on your back like this one has been, you can't help but think about it every time you go and run one [in a Group race]."

Despite being sent off at 16-1, Eve Lodge was well placed throughout to strike under Jim Crowley and was always holding the late challenge of 15-8 favourite Wings Of War close home.

Fellowes added: "I'm kicking myself that I didn't put her in the Cheveley Park. Maybe that would have been a step too far at this stage and I wanted to get today out of the way before making plans."

Ryan on a roll

Tahitian Prince came out best in a three-way finish to the £40,000 Unibet London Mile Series Final under Rossa Ryan, who landed a 147-1 treble on the card.

Sent off the 9-2 favourite, Tahitian Prince held on by a head from Hieronymus with a just a neck back to Giuseppe Cassioli in third.

Ryan said: "He's such a strong traveller and you have to get there late with him. He's needed a lot of luck from stall 12 and the owners Thurloe Thoroughbreds have placed him beautifully."

The rider was also on the mark with Noisy Night in the 7f nursery and Mr Professor in the mile nursery.

Replays, results and analysis

Read more from Saturday's racing

'I'm going to miss him' - Fellowes emotional as Prince Of Arran is retired

Sprint Cup: 'As good a horse as I've trained' - Emaraaty Ana wins Group 1 for Ryan

Haydock: James Bethell overjoyed as son Ed enjoys maiden Group 3 victory

Ascot: 'It's a disaster and I'm mortified' - Haggas gutted after weigh-in woe

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