'He's been an absolute star' - Hukum shines bright in Group 3 demolition

What was intended to be one last hurrah for the season might end up as a prelude to a tilt at the highest level abroad for Hukum, who arguably put in a career-best performance to storm away with the Group 3 ABF/BGC Cumberland Lodge Stakes.

Now a four-time winner at Group 3 level, connections believe his best chance of bridging the gap to Group 1 class could come overseas, with races in Hong Kong and Dubai swirling around the mind of winning trainer Owen Burrows after Hukum's six-and-a-half-length demolition.

"He's been an absolute star for us," said the Lambourn trainer. "He turns up every time and he's a pleasure to have anything to do with."

Asked if he could run again this season, Burrows said: "Originally I thought that might be it for the season, but we might get an invitation to Hong Kong [for the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December]. If we did, we'd see how he was and go from there, but we would consider it."

Beyond this year, Burrows appears keen on a trip to Dubai in the spring, adding: "I've always fancied a crack at the Sheema Classic and I think Meydan, which is a lovely, galloping track, will suit him."

Giving his seal of approval, Crowley said: "That was probably as good a feel as I've had off him. You'd love to try and make him a Group 1 winner and he possibly could in races abroad."

Burrows also saw Minzaal, one of last season's leaving juveniles, make a pleasing return to action when second to popular seven-year-old Tis Marvellous in the Listed Oakman Group Rous Stakes, and he could now bid for Group 1 honours in the Qipco British Champions Sprint back at Ascot in two weeks' time.

Crowley later took the plaudits in the £125,000 Challenge Cup, sticking to the far rail and cruising to a two-and-a-quarter-length success aboard the William Haggas-trained Aldaary, who could also be back at Ascot on Champions Day for the Balmoral Handicap.

Dream result for Fellowes

Less than a month after Eve Lodge gave trainer Charlie Fellowes his first Group-race win in Britain, stablemate Vadream followed suit with a tenacious success in the Group 3 John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes.

"It's like London busses," quipped Fellowes, who had to wait eight years for Eve Lodge's Pattern win in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton, only for Vadream to follow up four weeks later.

Vadream: could return to Ascot on British Champions DayCredit: Mark Cranham

"This has been the plan for a long time and we felt it was a real chance for her to win a Group race," added the trainer. "I'm delighted she's done it for her owner Doug King, who also bred her. It's a good effort to breed a Group 3 winner."

Having proved she handled testing conditions, Vadream may yet get the chance to give her trainer a first Group 1 success in the Champions Sprint on October 16.

Fellowes said: "We're not in the Champions Sprint, but knowing Doug I'd say she will be supplemented. He's always up for a challenge."

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