Reigning English champion Richard Hughes finally realized his ambition of winning his first British classic as Sky Lantern edged out Just The Judge close home to win the Quipco English 1000 Guineas, the second of the five classics of the season on Sunday. Hughes who has been a big impact in Indian racing having won the Indian Derby twice through Smart Chieftain and Jacqueline was desperately hoping to break the jinx in the English 2000 Guineas only 24 hours ago on Tornado. Sky Classic, trained by his father-n-law Richard Hannon, came from the deep end to pounce on the leaders to win in the closing moments of the race.

Report Courtesy: Racing Post

"It`s about time!" said a visibly emotional Hughes. "I believed in this filly and she came good. She is a very good filly who loves fast ground and she deserves this. They didn`t go over fast and it was all about getting her plenty of cover."

Richard Hughes celebrates winning the 1,000 Guineas on Sky Lantern (left). Picture: Edward Whitaker

For the Hughes and Hannon camps the victory was surely all the sweeter coming in the wake of 2,000 Guineas second-favourite Toronado`s unexpectedly lacklustre race on Saturday, when he finished fourth behind winner Dawn Approach after running out of steam in the final furlong.

"We were very disappointed after yesterday," said Richard Hannon jnr, the assistant trainer. "She deserved a bit of luck and we are absolutely delighted. I am delighted for Hughsie, he deserves it. He is one of the best jockeys ever and I am pleased that he is one of mine."

Just The Judge was a desperately close second for trainer Charlie Hills and Qatar Racing supremeo Sheikh Fahad al-Thani, who is also responsible for Guineas and British Champions Series sponsors Qipco and has spoken publicly about his desire to win this race above all others.

For much of the final furlong it looked as if the previously-unbeaten filly would realise his dream, travelling like the best horse and picking up the lead with almost insouciant ease before being caught on the threshold of victory.

"She ran well. She ran her heart out. She came there to win the race, got to the front looking like the winner," said Sheikh Fahad.

"Hughsie rode a great race but if we`d had time to see his filly we might have battled back. I`m pretty confident we can change the outcome next time."

Third place went to the Aidan O`Brien-trained Moth, who didn`t enjoy a particularly clear passage under trainer`s son Jospeh but was motoring at a tremendous rate close home.

"I had to wait to get a run through," said the jockey. "I think she`ll be better on a more even track. When I asked her to quicken she just took a bit longer than I expected to respond."
Sec0nd-favourite What A Name, representing the French connections of Mikel Delzangles and jockey Christophe Lemaire, travelled well but failed to pick up when asked and came home one-paced in seventh.

The 5-2 favourite and Nell Gwyn winner Hot Snap, by contrast, was labouring by half-way and finished ninth.