Invasor floors Bernardini

Racing:  Sheikh Mohammed's bid to win the Breeders' Cup Classic was foiled by his brother Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum as Invasor…

Racing: Sheikh Mohammed's bid to win the Breeders' Cup Classic was foiled by his brother Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum as Invasor floored Bernardini at Churchill Downs.

The race looked Bernardini's for the taking when he swept into the lead after what appeared a decisive move just before the home turn.

However, 18-year-old Fernando Jara brought Invasor (11-2), trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, with a devastating late thrust to wear down the 5-4 favourite in the final 100 yards.

Premium Tap was third and Giacomo fourth while the Aidan O'Brien-trained George Washington ran well for most of the way until fading out of contention in the straight.

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Brother Derek led the field in the early stages of the mile and a quarter showpiece on dirt with Lawyer Ron and Lava Man close up and George Washington handy.

Bernardini made his move on the outside down the far side and was in front before the final turn.

However, Invasor held far too many aces for the hot favourite. Invasor was coming into the race on the back of a 91-day absence after suffering a slight setback but McLaughlin did not think the break has too much of an impact.

He said: "We were lucky to be able to keep him pretty much on schedule. I think he missed one work and one race but he stayed on scheduled and worked well.

"He worked very well and he gets a lot out of his gallops, he really had come on a lot in the last 90 days."

McLaughlin was also quick to pay tribute to Jara, who also won the Belmont Stakes on stablemate Jazil. "He's a great rider who is so cool, he never gets nervous and he rode a great race by saving so much ground," he told Racing UK.