David Simcock’s Breton Rock produced a gutsy performance to land this afternoon’s Betfred Hungerford Stakes, denying the John Gosden-trained Gregorian back-to-back wins in the £100,000 Group Two prize.

The four-year-old son of Bahamian Bounty, sent off the 3/1 second favourite, clearly relished the cut in the ground and battled gamely in a titanic battle and was a short head in front where it matterered

“He got his conditions today which is so important”, said a delighted David Simcock. “He should have won at Haydock last time and we’ve given him a little break for this autumn campaign”.

Winning jockey Martin Lane was also full of praise for the ultra-consistent gelding who has only once finished out of the frame in 13 career starts to date. “The key to him is that he really tries”, said his victorious pilot. “It’s his main attribute and I’m delighted he’s landed a prize like this”.

Earlier on the card, Seismos landed the Group 3 Betfred TV Geoffrey Freer Stakes under Martin Harley for trainer Marco Botti. The 11/1 shot eventually wore down Willing Foe in another thrilling finish on Betfred Ladies Day.

The Denford Stud Stakes (Registered As The Washington Singer Stakes) produced a small but select field of four and on paper it looked a straight match between Roger Varian’s Belardo and Charlie Appleby’s Hawkesbury. However, the former ran out a comprehensive 3 ¾ length victor showing an impressive turn of foot late on.