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Karl Burke’s Al Qareem (10/3) put his proven stamina to good use when getting back up late to secure Group 3 Jim Barry Cumberland Lodge Stakes honours at Ascot this afternoon.
The Shadwell team would have been hoping for further Group race success this season with Al Aasy, the 11/10 favourite, and Israr (4/1) both seemingly holding excellent claims on paper. It looked as though they'd get their way with a furlong to run as Israr stretched into a clear two-length lead under hands and heels riding and, in all truth, the four-year-old looked home and hosed in the hands of young Benoit De La Sayette.
However, with proven stamina onside and a recent success in Listed company at Chester under his belt, the front-running Al Qareem battled back gamely and began to eat into Israr's advantage.
The Karl Burke-trained contender continued to close with every stride and soon found himself coming away for a three-quarter of a length victory.
Israr finished back in second with Postileo taking home the bronze medal.
Winning rider Clifford Lee said: "All he does is gallop and he likes these stiff finishes. He doesn't have a turn of foot, but he's got a good cruising speed, and he can keep going.
"To be fair I thought I was always going to get back on him [Israr], it was a long way still from the winning post and my lad keeps galloping; he tries hard."