Darkness Falls beats Desert Castle in Dewhurst Stakes

Darkness Falls proves the stronger to narrowly beat Desert Castle in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Darkness Falls (right) ended Desert Castle's unbeaten record

The pair led the five runners in the race for the line and Darkness Falls, ridden by Ryan Moore, held off favourite and previously unbeaten Desert Castle, who had William Buick on board.

Aidan O'Brien-trained Darkness Falls had dropped back to seven furlongs from a mile-and-one after winning the Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown last time out.

"He's a really good colt," Moore told ITV Sport. "It feels like there's more in the tank.

O'Brien added: "It was a big call to come here and it's incredible to bring a horse back from nine furlongs to win a Dewhurst.

"We've always loved him and he's always had a lot of class. Ryan gave him a brilliant ride and I'm so grateful to win this for everyone, he's very exciting.

"We came here to give him the experience with a view to the Guineas and we were always going to find out plenty.

Source: BBC Sport