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Hey Doc wins Winterbottom Stakes, Group 1, $1,000,000 at Ascot, 1200m.

Improved by one run from a lengthy spell after pulling up with soundness issues when last in training, Hey Doc was impressive in scoring here, his third success at Group 1 level and his ninth win from 23 starts.

He was quickly away from his wide barrier (13) and soon crossed to the front. He then travelled strongly at a quick tempo, dashed clear at the 200m before going on to score brilliantly and in fast time (1:08.59). Vital Silver began well, settled behind the leader and eventual winner and kept fighting on gamely to hold second.

Rock Magic settled in fourth place on the rails, got through on turning for home and then fought well for third. The favourite Trekking was slow to move, was near last early on before recovering to settle in seventh place on the rails. He improved along the inner at the home turn and kept making ground, without threatening, to finish (3.1 lengths) fourth.

Flirtini settled in last place in the 14-horse field after starting from a wide barrier. She moved up (wide out) nearing the home turn and ran on really well for (3.2 lengths) fifth, staging a smart effort. The three-year-old colt Dubious was a bit slowly away, settled beyond midfield on the rails and steadily made ground along the rails on turning for home to finish (4.5 lengths) sixth in a sound effort.