Trainer David Pipe called the race "a fiercely competitive handicap", and on rain-softening ground it took fit, in-form and talented horses to get involved in the finish.

 

Pipe's Starchitect finished second, two and a half lengths in front of Le Prezien. Ballyalton was three and three-quarters of a length further behind in fourth.

 

Pipe, who trains Starchitect for Paul and Clare Rooney, said: "He's probably run the race of his life. He handled the conditions, and just got in a bit close to the last two, which may have cost the win.

 

"It's a fiercely competitive handicap and they've gone a good gallop in the conditions. He's run a cracker and he will hopefully come back here in December [for the £120,000 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup]." 

 

Le Prezien, who is owned by J P McManus, was trained by Paul Nicholls. The trainer said: "He ran a fine race, and the trip and ground were perfect for him. He has loads of stamina and stays for ever - he's won over shorter trips when we've asked him, but you saw today that he stayed all the way to the line. I'm very pleased with him."