US Ranger pipped at the post

Racing : Marchand D'Or got up in the dying strides to register a thrilling victory in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Racing: Marchand D'Or got up in the dying strides to register a thrilling victory in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Freddie Head's grey still had plenty to do as the field entered the final quarter-mile but Davy Bonilla conjured an impressive late run that saw him grab US Ranger in the shadow of the post.

Aidan O'Brien's runner-up had only briefly taken over from the pace-setting War Artist, who had to settle for a close-up third under Kerrin McEvoy.

Of US Ranger, who came agonisingly close to landing his first Group win, O'Brien said: "He ran a great race and we're delighted with him. He just seems to be starting to learn what sprinting is all about.

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"I'm not sure what we'll do now but he's in all the top sprints."

O'Brien was also responsible for the fourth, Astronomer Royal.

"I'm delighted with him too and he's just starting to get the hang of it as well," the Ballydoyle trainer added.