Red Clubs claims stunning Sprint Cup success

Barry Hills' colt has lost nothing in defeat this term and finally came up with the goods in the hands of the trainer's son, Michael.

French raider Marchand D'Or took second, while Balthazaar's Gift ran a big race to take third.

Hot favourite and July Cup winner Sakhee's Secret had every chance but finished out of the money.

Given an astute ride, the 9-1 chance travelled like a dream in the valuable six-furlong heat.

Sierra Vista blazed an early trail under Paul Hanagan but waved the white flag of submission once the big-hitters joined the party.

Marchand D'Or gained the initiative around a furlong from home on the far side of the track, with Sakhee's Secret beginning to show signs of feeling the pinch.

That indeed proved the case as the principals blitzed away from Hughie Morrison's charge.

Red Clubs was tanking along down the centre of the course and bounded clear for a three-quarters-of-a-length verdict.

Balthazaar's Gift, who was putting a below-par effort at Newmarket behind him, was another half-length adrift of the winner, who is undisputedly the most consistent British sprinter in training at the top level.

Hills jnr told Channel 4 Racing: "I'm so pleased for the horse that he has won a Group One.

"He has given me everything from two to three to four. He's had a fantastic year and only been a couple of lengths off the best.

"I thought he might handle this ground better than the others, it's just a bit loose.

"He's a real star. He produces it on the track - he's never failed to."

Barry Hills added: "It's nice to win it. He is a very, very game horse and has run consistently well all through his career. He is a good, tough horse.

"He had a good preparation and five furlongs last time in the Nunthorpe (when fourth) was probably a bit sharp. He has run some good races.

"I don't know if it will be the Abbaye or Hong Kong next, but he's a high-class horse."

But Morrison was left seething at the condition of the ground, which he described as on the soft side of good.

"If I was Peter Chapple-Hyam and I had pulled Dutch Art out because of the quick ground I would be fuming," said Morrison.