The 15-8 favourite plugged on in a desperate finish and although it looked like Lush might have pinched the race on the line, he had lost by a nose.

"He has put a good run of form together and is a brave old horse," said Dow.

"He was well handicapped at the start of the year. He got a bit jarred up last season and was given a break, which has helped him get his act together."

Pat Cosgrave kept cool to steer Hawk's Eye to a comfortable success in the Aurora Fireworks Handicap.

The winner represents an interesting South African connection as he is part-owned by Joey and Lynda Ramsden and is trained by Mike de Kock, who picked him up from the sales in Newmarket a few weeks ago.

Hawk's Eye was the 15-8 favourite after landing a race at Windsor on his recent stable debut and made stealthy headway on the wide outside to lead on the line, beating Dow's Squad by a head.

Representing connections was former trainer Ted Haynes.

He said: "He was a bit keen at one stage but other than that, Pat has never had to touch him with the whip and perhaps that was a little better than it looks.

"I believe he was bought to go to South Africa, but Joey is a friend of De Kock, so left him with him. I'd imagine South Africa is the plan."

Simpsons Gamble put himself in the shop window by taking the Felbridge Selling Stakes at 20-1.

Roger Teal had been struggling to find suitable races for the six-year-old, who pulled two and three-quarter lengths clear under Liam Keniry when dropped down to basement level.

Teal explained: "His mark has been too low to get in most of the races on grass. He'll have a little holiday as the lease has expired with his owners, so hopefully we can find him some new owners as he's a fun horse."

There were no bids at the auction.

Keniry was making up for a three-day ban (September 10-11 and 13) for using his whip with excessive frequency on Officer In Command in the second race.