'The Guineas door is open' says 'amazed' William Buick after Shadow Of Light completes rare Middle Park and Dewhurst double

Shadow Of Light completed the Middle Park and Dewhurst double with a gutsy performance at Newmarket. 

The Godolphin juvenile raced towards the far side of the track as Seagulls Eleven carved out the early running in a group also containing Rock Of Cashel, with Expanded and Ancient Truth ahead for much of the journey near the stands' side rail. 

William Buick manoeuvred Shadow Of Light across the track to join the two prominent runners in the final furlong and he responded generously to his urgings to get up and win in a close finish. The last horse to complete the Group 1 double was US Navy Flag in 2017.

"He's won two races, it's amazing," Buick told ITV Racing. "From the get-go we got a good trail to follow and there was a separation. I could see the stands' side were in front and to be honest I was just amazed how competitively he raced by himself and when he joined the others he found more.

Shadow Of Light (left): was too good for stablemate Ancient TruthCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"It was a fantastic performance and a credit to Charlie and His Highness two weeks after his impressive Middle Park race. Today, he showed a lot of courage and class. It was made very difficult for him."

Last year's Dewhurst was won by the spectacular City Of Troy, and connections are already debating whether Shadow Of Light's future lies in sprints or over a mile.

Buick said: "I was surprised how well he saw the seven furlongs out today so I presume he's just left the door open to come back here in May."

Expanded, who only made his winning debut a week ago at the Curragh, finished second for Ballydoyle. He was ridden by Ryan Moore after ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter was declared a non-runner on Saturday. The Superlative Stakes winner Ancient Truth was third. 

Shadow Of Light was cut to 10-1 (from 16) for next year's 2,000 Guineas. Chaldean was the last horse to follow up in the Newmarket Classic after winning the Dewhurst in 2022.

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