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French challenger Funny Kid lunged late to claim a last-gasp victory in a thrilling renewal of the Betway All-Weather Marathon at Lingfield.

Christophe Ferland's five-year-old was a 7-2 chance for the two-mile contest and jockey Maxime Guyon positioned his mount in midfield for much of the journey.

Last year's runner-up Watersmeet made the running and briefly looked to have cut loose after straightening up for home.

However, the closing pack began to make inroads deep inside the final furlong and no sooner had Lord George hit the front with the post looming large than Funny Kid picked them both up.

After a brief wait, the judge confirmed Guyon's mount had won the day by a nose from Lord George, with the admirable Watersmeet just a neck further back in third.

Guyon told ITV Racing: "I had the perfect trip behind the second (Lord George). The pace was not very fast but that was perfect for me because he has a good turn of foot.

"He was a little bit fresh, which was why he was so keen early. When he ran the first time in England (at Wolverhampton) he ran OK but the pace was faster than today.

"Last time I thought I was going to win but I stopped a little bit but today we win the big race so it's perfect.

"I rode at Lingfield last year but this is my first winner so I'm very happy."

Ferland said: "The pace suited him, he had a good lead and then he was able to kick on.

"He's got a good turn of foot. Last time at Wolverhampton he was a little bit fresh and not fit enough, the race quickened too early for him.

"Today he was 200 per cent to really fight. He's a fantastic horse with a fantastic turn of foot and we very much hope there is more to come.

"I was more confident than last time. Maxime is my stable jockey and I don't have to give him instructions.

"We'll keep going with him where the ground is good. He might come back to England."