invasor too good for bernardini

Sheikh Mohammed's bid to win the Breeders' Cup Classic was foiled by his brother Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum as Invasor floored Bernardini at Churchill Downs.

The race looked Bernardini's for the taking when he swept into the lead after what appeared a decisive move just before the home turn.

However, 18-year-old Fernando Jara brought Invasor (11-2), trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, with a devastating late thrust to wear down the 5-4 favourite in the final 100 yards.

Premium Tap was third and Giacomo fourth while the Aidan O'Brien-trained George Washington ran well for most of the way until fading out of contention in the straight.

Brother Derek led the field in the early stages of the mile and a quarter showpiece on dirt with Lawyer Ron and Lava Man close up and George Washington handy.

Bernardini made his move on the outside down the far side and was in front before the final turn. However, Invasor held far too many aces for the hot favourite.

Invasor was coming into the race on the back of a 91-day absence after suffering a slight setback but McLaughlin did not think the break has too much of an impact.

He said: "We were lucky to be able to keep him pretty much on schedule. I think he missed one work and one race but he stayed on scheduled and worked well.

"He worked very well and he gets a lot out of his gallops, he really had come on a lot in the last 90 days."

McLaughlin was also quick to pay tribute to Jara, who also won the Belmont Stakes on stablemate Jazil.

"He's a great rider who is so cool, he never gets nervous and he rode a great race by saving so much ground," he told Racing UK.

Bernardini's trainer Tom Albertrani was gracious in defeat after seeing his stable star's six-race unbeaten run ended.

"It looked like he was struggling down the back. He kicked on and made a good run but I think he just got beat by a better horse today," he said.

"There's no disgrace. Invasor deserved it as he's done everything right this year."

O'Brien said of sixth-placed George Washington: "He ran a blinder and I was throwing him in at the deep end. Mick said he'd love to ride him on it again but of course that can't happen.

"It was his first time on the dirt and on this surface horses get a rough passage but you could see his class as he travelled so well.

"Basically he is pure speed, though, and I think he ran a great race on his first attempt at the distance."

Kinane added: "He travelled really well for me and I thought at one stage he would get into the argument but I wasn't helped when the winner moved out and knocked me sideways.

"It was a hell of a run under the conditions."