Marchand marches to July Cup

Twelve years on from winning the race as a jockey, Frenchman Freddie Head repeated the trick as a trainer by sending out Marchand D'Or to secure a last-gasp victory in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Jockey Davy Bonilla set pulses racing at Headquarters when still buried away at the back of the field on the 5-2 favourite with a furlong left to run in Europe's premier Group One sprint.

He set the grey alight soon after and the five-year-old charged up the stands rail to lead right on the line and deny Aidan O'Brien's US Ranger by a head.

South African import War Artist set ferocious fractions up front under Kerrin McEvoy, and he looked like capitalising on his aggressive run when still leading into the final 50 yards.

But the cavalry were closing in and Marchand D'Or's breathtaking run from the rear secured him the sprinter's crown.

Most punters would have ripped up their tickets in desperation at halfway, but the gelding - who was fourth in the race last year - banished memories of his lacklustre run at Royal Ascot with his potent finishing kick.

Head, who won the six-furlong dash aboard Anabaa in 1996, said: "I am delighted and this is a great thrill. I won the race as a jockey and I have now won it as a trainer - you couldn't ask for more."

"He is a little bit tricky and is not the best ride you can find, but Davy gave him a great ride. He waited and waited and the horse has a tremendous turn of foot."

"I didn't think he had won so when I heard the result I was quite happy."

"He came out too quick from the stalls at Royal Ascot and was very keen all of the way. He got into a bit of trouble too and he doesn't like that - he likes to be out on his own."

"He didn't run his race at Ascot but he is a super horse."

"He will now go and run in the race he has won twice - the Prix Maurice de Gheest and after that he may come back to Haydock and have his revenge there after finishing runner-up last year."

"He has won over seven furlongs and five furlongs on all types of ground so is very versatile."

Bonilla added: "The race was quite fast and I didn't want to fight the horse in front of me so I took him back."

"I didn't want a fight like last time at Ascot but he was much more relaxed this time and I was able to ride him like I wanted to."

US Ranger has been knocking on the door in similar races and came agonisingly close to providing O'Brien with his 13th Group One of the season.

The Ballydoyle maestro said: "He ran a great race and we're delighted with him."

"He just seems to be starting to learn what sprinting is all about."

"I'm not sure what we'll do now but he's in all the top sprints."

O'Brien was also responsible for the fourth, Astronomer Royal, and added: "I'm delighted with him too and he's just starting to get the hang of it as well."

James Eustace was both delighted and frustrated to see War Artist come so close again at the highest level.

His five-year-old was just half a length down in third after his second-place