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Michael Appleby’s Annaf recorded a first group success when narrowly getting the better of Commanche Falls in the Group 3 John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes at Ascot.

The well-supported 5/2 favourite was settled in midfield towards the stands' side rail under Rossa Ryan and as the pair edged out looking for racing room, it seemed as though Commanche Falls had got first run on Michael Appleby's charge.

Commanche Falls struck the front inside the final furlong but the race was far from over as Annaf, who was in receipt of 3lb from the former, began to edge closer with every stride. The pair set down for the drive with 50 yards to travel and although Commanche Falls battled all the way to the line, it was the last-time-out Portland Handicap winner Annaf, who came home just the stronger to score by a short head.

Pink Crystal finished back in third.

"It was a great run, and he just keeps improving," said Appleby.

"He's been so consistent this year and I just hope he's got some more improvement to come. Rossa gets on so well with him and knows how to ride him. They get on really well together.

"Whether that will be it for the year now, I'm not sure. There are a couple of more races for him, but we'll speak with the owners and decide what to do. We could possibly go to the Kachy Stakes again at Lingfield, but we'll give him a break at some point."

Rossa Ryan added: "He's something else. Six [furlongs] was a worry for me because six on the all-weather is easy but six here is a lot different. With no pace in the race, I was thinking I'd have to be handier. I wasn't too worried about being left on the rail but when James started to crack first, I thought 'oh no' and then I had to manoeuvre again but it actually played into my hands really.

"The last day he got there half a furlong out and he pulled himself up but today I thought he was always going to get there; I was just worried about getting there too soon. He's been something else for me this year.