Forbidden Fire holds off Rock Montreal to win Flying Scotsman

Forbidden Fire resisted the late surge of Rock Montreal to claim top honours in the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes.

Nine runners went to post for the Listed opener on day two of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival and the market was dominated by two Godolphin-owned colts, with Charlie Appleby’s dual winner Nabati the even-money favourite ahead of Roger Varian’s impressive Yarmouth scorer Rock Montreal at 5-2.

Forbidden Fire, one of only two fillies in the field, was third best in the market at 9-2 off the back of a dominant debut victory at Salisbury, but showed the boys the way home under Oisin Murphy.

A daughter of No Nay Never out of owner-breeder Jeff Smith’s top-class racemare Arabian Queen, Andrew Balding’s filly travelled strongly and had most of her rivals in trouble a furlong out, with Rock Montreal one of the first under pressure at the rear of the field.

However, the latter began to find his stride against the near side rail late on and only missed out on victory by a head, with Nabati beaten into third.

Murphy said: “She was supposed to run in the Dick Poole at Salisbury but she had to miss that and this was the next possible target. Andrew was very pleased with her.

“Her work leading into the race suggested she was very relaxed now and she was the ultimate professional. That’s probably only the second time she’s had a squeeze as she does nothing off the bridle at home.

“I know it’s only a Listed race but there were some well-liked quotes in there so she’s got a nice future.

“She wasn’t a professional in May, the guys at home have done a terrific job as she was very difficult.

“We were staying at six but I’d imagine she can stay at seven with the hope she’s a Guineas filly next year. If she’s healthy and the timing is right I imagine Andrew might look at the Rockfel.”

Varian said of Rock Montreal: “He ran very well, it was only his second start and he’s still learning on the job.

“He took a bit of time to pick up but the winner skipped two or three lengths clear. He’s still a frame and has got some strengthening up to do. He’s got the makings of a very nice horse.

“He didn’t disappoint me today or dent his reputation, he’s still a horse with a big future, he was running on all the way to the line. I’m just annoyed we didn’t win and sometimes you just have to credit the winner.

“I don’t know if he’ll run again, we’ll see how he is.”