NEWMARKET (England), Oct 20: The Aidan O’Brien trained Rock of Gibraltar squeezed out stable companions Landseer and Tendulkar in a desperately close finish to land the 200,000 pounds ($287,900) Group One Dewhurst Stakes on Saturday.

The 4-6 favourite, part-owned by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, failed to settle in the early part of the seven furlong (1.4 km) race and appeared short of room with a furlong (200 metres) to go.

But Michael Kinane galvanised the two-year-old, who won the Grand Criterium at Longchamp on Arc day, into gear and the colt just got up on the line to edge out 13-2 chance Landseer, ridden by Jamie Spencer, and Tendulkar, partnered by Johnny Murtagh, in a photo finish.

The verdicts were a short head and a head.

“I thought Landseer had nailed us on the line,” admitted Kinane.

“My horse did not settle but he did quicken up nicely, although he got a bit empty close to home.”

Bookmakers varied significantly on the merits of Rock of Gibraltar’s win in the eight-runner field, with Ladbrokes quoting him as 16-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas, while Coral go as short as 7-1.

The O’Brien trained Hawk Wing is 5-1 favourite for the race.

Earlier, trainer Ian Balding landed a one-two in the 120,000 pounds ($172,700) Tote Cesarewitch Handicap as 14-1 chance Distant Prospect, ridden by Martin Dwyer, just edged out 66-1 stable mate Palua by a neck in the two miles two furlongs (3.6 km) slog.

Result of the Dubai Champion Stakes, a group one race for three-year-olds and upwards, run over one mile and two furlongs (2 kms) on Saturday:

1. Nayef 3-1 favourite (ridden by Richard Hills) 2. Tobougg 11-1 (Kevin Darley) 3. Indian Creek 66-1 (Richard Quinn)

13 ran.

Distances: three-quarters of a length, four lengths.

Winner owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum and trained in England by Marcus Tregoning.

Value to winner: 259,840 pounds sterling ($374,000)—Reuters