Powerful Glory strikes in Mill Reef at Newbury

Powerful Glory finished with a flourish to secure Group Two gold in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Richard Fahey's juvenile had impressed on debut when winning by five and a half lengths at Pontefract last month and he was a 5-2 chance behind 15-8 favourite Brian in a depleted field, with leading hopes Defence Minister and Shadow Of Light among those ruled out due to heavy ground.

It looked as though Brian could live up to his market leader tag after collaring the pace-setting Sarab Star on the far side of the track, but Oisin Orr was just getting going on Powerful Glory on the stands side.

The Cotai Glory colt responded well to Orr’s urging to grab the lead, with outsider La Bellota pushing him all the way to the line, with just a neck between them. Billboard Star stayed on late to grab third place from Brian.

Powerful Glory is owned by Sheikh Rashid Dalmook al Maktoum and his representative Philip Robinson admitted the team had not been entirely sure about running in such testing conditions after winning on quick ground at Pontefract.