The Irresistible Force proves too speedy to win Champion Sprint

Creative Force gave trainer Charlie Appleby a first victory on QIPCO British Champions Day with his first runner in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes over six furlongs.

The three-year-old was always travelling well under William Buick, slip-streaming the pace-setting 2020 winner Glen Shiel before attacking a furlong from home.

The son of Dubawi had a length to spare over Glen Shiel at the line. Minzaal took third, beaten a further length while Art Power ran on for fourth.

Appleby said: “I was confident with this horse after Haydock. James Doyle felt he was a sprinter earlier this season, and the ground was too fast for him at Haydock.

“I’m delighted for the horse because he has been on the go. He was out at the Craven Meeting and rose through the ranks and came here to win the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“This was my first winner at Champions Day. It’s a fantastic crowd, and the sun is shining down.

“Creative Force is a typical Dubawi who should get better with age. The sprint division is there for someone to take the mantle next year and we’ve been looking for a new star sprinter since Blue Point was retired, so hopefully this horse can be a fun horse for the next year or two. There’s a hole there to be filled and I think he is a young enough horse to do that.”

Buick said: “Creative Force really did deserve it. Obviously, he won the Jersey Stakes here and he goes through that ground which is a big help.

“The race worked out perfectly today – we had a nice draw and I liked the look of it. It worked out how I wanted it to and he was in good form going into it.

“He certainly deserved it, but we thought it was a good chance for him to show his best today.