Avicenna swoops late for Flying Scotsman success

Avicenna got up in the very last stride to deny hot favourite Hankelow victory in a thrilling renewal of the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.

Hankelow was the 5-4 market leader to provide Karl Burke with yet another big-race juvenile success, having impressed on his only previous start at York at the end of June.

The Night Of Thunder colt was under pressure with over a furlong to run, however, and while he did eventually get the better of a protracted duel with three-time winner Sir Albert to grab the lead, it was Roger Varian’s course-and-distance winner Avicenna who was finishing best of all.

The pair flashed by the post almost as one, but the judge soon confirmed Avicenna had emerged victorious by a nose in the hands of William Buick, with Hankelow second and Sir Albert only half a length further behind in third.

“He’s a lovely horse and I’m very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed and the Godolphin team for supporting me with a few horses this year,” said Varian.

“I’m delighted that this horse made a winning start and he backed it up today, so really pleased, delighted with his performance. He’s learning on the job and is strong through the line, so he’s a horse to look forward to.

“He’s always looked a nice horse because he’s a very good moving horse, it’s just taken a while to furnish into his frame.”

Paddy Power make Avicenna a 50-1 shot for next year’s 2000 Guineas, but Varian is not getting carried away, adding: “I think he will probably be a miler, I don’t know if he’s good enough for a Guineas because he’s won a Listed by a nose.

“We don’t need to get carried away just yet. We can look forward with him for sure, but we will see how he develops.”