FAIR BRUTUS CLINCHES THRILLER IN SENOR SANTA HANDICAP

There was a dramatic finish to the headliner at Newmarket today when Fair Brutus edged out Super Profit by the tightest of margins and then had to survive an objection before being confirmed as winner of this Gr 2 event over 1200m.

The race looked wide open and this was confirmed by the betting which saw potential star Rebel King go off a weak 4/1 favourite.�������

The field split into two groups once the race got underway, with Super Guy and Fair Brutus showing good pace and leading the inside pack ahead of Eli`s Connection, Brave Dominion and Flaming Jet with Super Profit tucked in just off them. Vega, Let`s Rock `N Roll and Viva Voce were prominent in the outside pack, while Rebel King dropped right out of it early on.

Fair Brutus shook off Super Guy passing the 400m mark to claim a clear lead but Super Profit moved up smartly, albeit having to switch inwards for a run at one stage. Greek Warrior was running a big race with Flaming Jet trying to get into it along the inside rail. Rebel King, meanwhile, was starting to make up ground in eyecatching fashion down the outside with Destined To Be also quickening nicely.

The race developed into a two-horse tussle inside the last 200m with both Super Profit and Fair Brutus getting their noses in front at different stages, while Rebel King, try as he might, simply could not get to them. At the line, it was Fair Brutus who had just done enough, under a tremendous ride from young Marco van Rensburg.

There will be much debate about the subsequent objection, but it looks as if the stewards just about got it right: replays showed that there may have been some marginal contact between the 400m and 300m marks and there is no doubt that Fair Brutus was all over the place right up until the end, but he did not appear to make contact after the 200m mark and they probably took the view that Super Profit had not been impeded at the business end of the race.

There were plenty of other, more positive talking points to emerge from the race, as all the first four all look like decent horses, each of whom can take something out of this race.

Fair Brutus has always looked above average, but there was a suspicion that he might be better on the sand. Having said that, he was entitled to beat Rebel King, whom he met on 4kg better terms having been beaten a nose by him last year. His odds of 10/1 were a reasonable reflection of his chances based on what he had shown to date, and it was only a minor upset to see him win here. The race was a triumph for veteran trainer George Scott and the victory has no doubt generated a lot of emotion for a man who has given his life to the sport and who is famous for the passion he brings to it.

Super Profit came into the race as arguably the horse with the least doubts hanging over him and he turned yet another good sprint performance. This 1200m trip looks to be right up his street and he will almost certainly get another chance to meet Fair Brutus, where there should once again not be too much between them.

Rebel King had to be content with third, losing his unbeaten record in the process, but he accelerated really smartly when asked the question and made up a lot of ground. However, he just could not sustain his effort right to the line and it was no disgrace to be beaten by two smart sorts, both of whom surely stripped a lot fitter than him and were receiving a fair amount of weight as well. This was a creditable effort, considering the problems he has had and the fact that he was returning after a three-month layoff. For those who were dazzled by his Nursery win last year, he may yet turn out to be the star that he looked that day.

Destined To Be is another who has had his share of problems, having missed most of last year, but he shaped very promisingly here and it will be no surprise to see him in the winner`s box soon. He has been very lightly raced and one suspects we haven`t yet seen the best of this son of Danehill Dancer.

Among the also-rans, Greek Warrior had no chance with the front four but still ran his best race in ages to finish fifth, Vega was never really in it but kept on for a fair sixth under top weight and Flaming Jet didn`t fare too badly in seventh, clearly needing the run as his effort petered out towards the end.-Mark Anthony

Fair Brutus is a 3-year-old gelding by Muhtafal out of National Gypsy (National Assembly). He was bred by Yellow Star Stud for owners Messrs M Whyte and G B Scott.

Winning trainer: George Scott