But in the end both had to give way to the big-race experience of Arakan and Fallon, who led just inside the final furlong on his way to beat Sabbeeh by a length and a half.

New Seeker, who had bravely attempted to burn his rivals off from the front under Philip Robinson, rallied once headed to regain third spot in the final strides.

But the well-backed 2-1 favourite Nayyir once again looked to be under something of a cloud as he made rather laboured progress to finish back in fourth.

There was further disappointment for Nayyir’s rder Ryan Moore after the race when the stewards inquired into interference between the favourite and Diktatorial and banned him for one day (October 8).

Representing Arakan’s trainer, Michael Stoute, travelling head lad Jimmy Scott said: “He is a lovely horse to have anything to do with and he likes to get his toe in a bit.

“Kieren gave him a lovely ride. He’s a fresh horse and he was giving us the right vibes. He’s certainly a game horse.”

Connections of New Seeker blamed the rain-softened conditions for a slightly disappointing performance. The Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes is a possible next stopping point for the five-year-old, who did at least show he remains in very good form.

Fallon had earlier struck when Sylvester Kirk produced Sri Diamond cherry-ripe after a 199-day racecourse absence to take the Sharp Commercial Microwave Oven EBF Classified Stakes.

The 7-2 chance appeared potentially well treated if able to repeat his all-weather form back on turf.

And that certainly proved to be the case as Fallon brought the winner through late – towards the stands side in search of a better racing surface – to beat favourite Minority Report by one and a quarter lengths.

Like so many of his colleagues, Kirk was absent from the track being across the Irish Sea at Goffs Sales in search of a bargain or two.

But owners Ascot Brew Racing were out in force to welcome the winner home.

Marcus Tregoning’s progressive colt Mulaqat was earlier brought with a well-timed run by Richard Hughes to lift the opening event.

Overnight rain had left the ground riding on the dead side, but Hughes reported the 7-2 chance had won in spite of the conditions rather than because of them.

When Seven Samurai joined Kalankari at the head of affairs over two furlongs out in the Electrolux Foodservice Equipment Nursery, the pair appeared to have the race between them.

But all the time Mulaqat was making stealthy progress and Hughes pounced 75 yards from the line to win by a cosy length from Kalankari.

“He wouldn’t want to go further than this mile but he is going the right way and we might look for another race for him this season, as long as the ground is good,” said Tregoning’s assistant Patrick McEwan.

High Bray increased his potential purchase price when taking the 17-runner Rich Products Corporation Handicap.

The ex-German four-year-old was dropped back in trip to seven furlongs having failed to get home over further and the switch worked the oracle.

Richard Quinn held the 8-1 chance up well off the frantic early pace and brought the winner with a scything run to collar his rivals inside the last 100 yards.

Violet Park picked up well when getting on to the stands’ rail to grab second, a neck adrift, while Katiypour denied the frustrating Border Music for third spot.

“He is going to the horses-in-training sale next month,” said trainer David Elsworth’s assistant Jeannie Brown.

“He had been pulling too hard over longer trips and the plan was to drop him right out and hope they went fast enough for him to settle.

“It couldn’t have worked out any better.”

But Coral public relations spokesman David Stevens was not looking so pleased as he stood alongside the winning horse.

“Last week I asked David about whether he had a horse for sale as I was looking to put together a syndicate among some of the boys in the office,” he explained.

“This was the one he recommended but I’m not sure we’ll be able to afford him now!”

Elsorth double up when Indecent Proposal (5-2) claimed the Premier Foods European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden Fillies’ Stakes under Robinson.

But there was a blow for Hughes as he picked up a one-day ban (October 8) for incorrect use of the whip on runner-up You Call That Art.

Frankie Dettori claimed the honour of riding the easiest winner of the day when Paradise Mill (2-1) coasted home in the Crosse & Blackwell Maiden Stakes.