Almeraq got the better of a blanket finish in winning the battle of the international speedsters for Tom Marquand and William Haggas in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

The four-year-old was completing a miraculous return in this Group One having fallen at York last summer and leaving regular rider Jim Crowley battling to save his career in the saddle.

Coming with a late rattle in the final furlong, the Shadwell runner beat a quality field assembled from around the globe with runners from Japan, Australia, France and Ireland to emerge with the win.

With a furlong to go Chris Waller's 2.70 market leader Joliestar and Japanese favourite Satono Reve were locked in a battle to the line only for Almeraq (39.2) to scorch through on the far side and land the Group One prize.

Ridden on this occasion by Ryan Moore, Satono Reve was finishing second in this race for the second consecutive year.

Marquand said: “I’m not just saying this for effect, genuinely my first thought when I thought I’d won was for Jim.

“This horse and him both took horror falls at the back end of last year, Jim’s fighting for his career, he should be aboard this horse, it’s his (ride).

“For Jim, this is as hard as it gets, missing Group Ones. It’s great to have him here and hopefully he can find a bit of pleasure seeing this lad get up off the ground and win a big one.”

Haggas, recording his fourth winner of the week, said: “It was a great race, I was so busy watching both of them (his runners) because Lake Forest was coming from the back and I thought Almeraq was gone as he was off the bridle halfway.

“He obviously stayed on very well. I’m very sorry for the Japanese horse, it’d have been lovely to have had a Japanese winner.

“It’s terrific that they come across the world to race here and support our biggest meeting, I’m delighted to beat them but long may it continue.

“He had a fall at York last year where poor Jim got injured along with another jockey (Trevor Whelan), he took a long time to come back and it’s been gently gently this spring.

“He won nicely at Salisbury, but this was a complete jump in class and he’s coped with it nicely. I would think the (July Cup) would be the natural step, for sure.

“May I say how thrilled I am for Shadwell, I’ve been involved with them for some time. It’s very difficult here, it’s hard for everyone who is trying to compete.”

Reflecting further on the fall for Almeraq, Haggas said: “He was pretty shook up, it’s quite hard to have a fall like that at speed. For a young horse going at speed, it’s difficult.

“We gave him a lot of time, there was no need to get him ready for the autumn, but we gave him a lot of time and this has proved it (was the right thing to do).

“It’s onwards and upwards. He’s taken his form to a new level and we’re absolutely delighted.”

Crowley walked back in with the winner and said afterwards: “That was amazing. It was one of those things, we’ve always believed he was a Group One horse.

“It is an amazing training performance to get him back, he took as heavy a fall as I did. I think I broke his fall in fact!

“He’s a big, heavy horse. They’re mixed emotions, because of course I want to be on him, I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life, but I’m just so pleased for him.

“It is tricky to look on, but what would I be doing other than sitting at home watching it on TV? I’ve enjoyed it though it has been tough, it makes me want to get back even more.

“My fitness is good, I’m riding work, but I’m not quite there yet to be coming here and riding at Group One level.

“It’s a case of how long is a piece of string, when I feel fit and ready I’ll come back.”

Image: Focus On Racing