Beckford Stakes result: Brilliant Star shines for the Gosdens as 80/1 Littlecote chases her home at Bath

Brilliant Star lived up to her name and her 11/8 favouritism in the British Stallion Studs EBF Beckford Stakes at Bath on Thursday. She pulled two lengths clear for John and Thady Gosden and Robert Havlin in the Listed feature ON Wednesday.

The three-year-old had been off the track for 112 days since finishing a creditable fourth at 22/1 in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. She returned in a first-time tongue tie and stepped up to 1m6f for the first time. On pedigree, the trip was always likely to bring about further improvement.

Brilliant Star takes control late

Havlin had the daughter of Cracksman in touch behind the early pace set by Ralph Beckett’s Lady Vivian. He moved into second more than two furlongs out without needing to get serious. Only a nudge was required to take over from the long-time leader over a furlong from home, and Brilliant Star kept on strongly to put the race to bed inside the final furlong.

The winning time of 3m 1.97s was 5.57 seconds slower than standard, so the form may not be the strongest Listed form of the autumn. Even so, the manner of the success suggests there is more to come. She is now three from six, and this first black-type victory adds to two novice wins at Yarmouth and Kempton in the spring.

The filly is a homebred for Anthony Oppenheimer’s Hascombe & Valiant Stud, whose colours were carried by both of her parents. Her sire Cracksman and her dam Star Catcher were also trained by John Gosden, and she is cut from the same staying cloth. It has been a fine week for the operation: Hascombe & Valiant sold a Night Of Thunder colt to Godolphin for 1,500,000 guineas at Tattersalls October Book 1 on Wednesday.

80/1 shot Littlecote runs a stormer in second

The big surprise of the race came in behind the winner. Andrew Balding’s Littlecote started at 80/1 and was officially rated just 75, the lowest-rated runner in the field. She ran well above that mark to finish second under William Carver. The Camelot filly was towards the rear early, made headway over two furlongs out and went second over a furlong out. She was no match for the winner but stayed on well enough to pick up valuable black type for owners Denford Stud.

Roger Varian’s Little Dorrit (11/2) was a length further back in third under Ray Dawson, having moved into third over two furlongs out and stayed on. William Haggas’ Pierian was the 100/30 second favourite. She came from towards the rear under Tom Marquand and snatched fourth on the final stride from Peace Belle (16/1), but she never had the pace to land a blow.