Concierge fights off Aplomb in thrilling Class 2 Handicap at Newbury

Concierge held off the challenge from Aplomb to land the Casumo Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap at Newbury on Friday.

The five-year-old, trained by Michael Attwater took the lead with a furlong remaining to edge out Aplomb in a thrilling battle.

Elsewhere on the day, Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding opened his account as Achelois won the opening race.

Under David Probert, the three-year-old got in front of Soundslikethunder to get the victory.

After the race, the trainer said: “She doesn’t mind this ground and it’s nice to win a race with a bonus as well.

“I think we’ll go back into handicaps now, she has broken her maiden so we’ll take it from there, but she’ll definitely stay a mile so there is more to come.

Lambourn trainer Archie Watson scooped victory in the Class 4 Novices Stakes as Badlands battled until the very end to pip Beheld to the post.

Both Badlands and Beheld pushed along with a furlong remaining and it was the Watson-trained three-year-old who got the win.

After the race, winning jockey Luke Morris said: “He was very honest and genuine, he was quite raw through the race and he never really travelled, but he stuck his head down and showed a willing attitude.

“He went to the start absolutely perfectly, he behaved great and he is a horse who I know and I think he’ll come on plenty.

“In the autumn I am sure he’ll get a mile and a quarter, I am not sure if he’ll get further, but he can improve if he steps up in trip.”

Elsewhere, Gisburn produced a stunning performance to cruise to victory in a Maiden Stakes for Richard Hannon.

Backed in as a 6/4 favourite, the two-year-old went clear from over a furlong out and won in fashion.

There was a surprise in the Class 5 Handicap Stakes as the 16/1 priced East Asia stormed to victory, finishing ahead of pre-race favourite Potenza.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Manobo took the win in the Class 4 Maiden Stakes, under Adam Kirby.

East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison saw Surrey Gold take victory in the Class 4 Handicap Stakes.

The three-year-old took the lead with two furlongs left before moving further clear of Alpine Stroll, who finished second.

After the race, Morrison said: “I think the conditions were right and we wanted a flat track so I think he did very well and I was very surprised he won as well as he did.

“He is a nice horse, but these three-year-old handicaps are extremely competitive and I couldn’t see him doing it in a nice and progressive field like that.”

In the final race of the day, the apprentice handicap stakes, Madame Peltier won for Charlie Fellowes and jockey Saffie Osborne.