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Poet's Voice Wins QE2 Thriller
25/09/10

1 Poet's Voice 9/2
2 Rip Van Winkle 11/4
3 Red Jazz 40/1

Poet's Voice capped a fantastic afternoon for Frankie Dettori as he landed a thrilling last-gasp success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Rip Van Winkle missed out by a nose
© racing-images.co.uk

The three-year-old's nose verdict over Rip Van Winkle was the highlight of a four-timer for the Italian rider, who famously landed all seven races on the card back in 1996.

Johnny Murtagh kicked for home on last year's winner Rip Van Winkle as the field straightened up after the turn, but the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Poet's Voice (9-2) emerged from the pack under a perfectly-timed ride to snatch the honours in the dying strides.

Red Jazz defied his odds of 40-1 to finish a close-up third, while hot favourite Makfi could not get in a blow and was well beaten.

The victory of Poet's Voice followed on from Dettori's triumph aboard Godolphin stablemate White Moonstone in the other Group One on the card, the Fillies' Mile.

He said: "That is fantastic. I really can't believe it, winning the big two races today. I'm full of emotion. This place has a special magic for me and I think that's five QEIIs now.

"Saeed has the horses in top form but even when they look good in the morning, they still have to go out and do it when they get to the course."

Bin Suroor added: "Physically and mentally this horse is much better than he was. He showed a brilliant turn of foot and the Breeders' Cup Mile is the target."

O'Brien was full of praise for Rip Van Winkle, adding: "He's a great and courageous horse and was definitely coming back at the winner."

Connections of Makfi were left scratching their heads and rider Christophe Soumillon said: "He was really nervous and fractious and tried to get under the gate. He has never been like that before."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Poet's Voice S bin Suroor	L Dettori 8st 13lbs	9 - 2 Winner
2	Rip Van Winkle A P O'Brien	J P Murtagh 9st 3lbs	11 - 4 Nose
3	Red Jazz B W Hills	M Hills 8st 13lbs	40 - 1 1/2 length
4	Beethoven A P O'Brien	R L Moore 8st 13lbs	14 - 1 1 3/4 length
5	Makfi M Delzangles	C Soumillon 8st 13lbs	1 - 1 3/4 length
6	Hearts Of Fire Pat Eddery	R Winston 8st 13lbs	14 - 1 2 1/2 lengths
7	Bushman D M Simcock	T P Queally 9st 3lbs	40 - 1 1 length
8	Air Chief Marshal A P O'Brien	J P Spencer 8st 13lbs	66 - 1 18 lengths