Kingston Hill wins Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster

Favourite Kingston Hill, trained by Roger Varian, romped to victory by more than four lengths in the Racing Post Trophy over Doncaster's straight mile.

Defying a strong headwind in the final Group One race of the year in Britain, the son of Mastercraftsman was asked to quicken well over a furlong out.

Andrea Atzeni's 7-2 shot surged clear and sealed his third win out of three.

Johann Strauss was second with Johnny Murtagh's Altruistic third, but well-fancied Century was last of the 11.

Chief Barker, unbeaten in three and marshalled by the esteemed Richard Hannon-Richard Hughes combination, could never sustain a serious challenge and weakened in the final furlong before finishing sixth.

Kingston Hill is now tipped for next year's Derby, but Varian said: "We'll have to see how he winters and what he's like in the spring. People have said is he a 10-furlong, mile-and-a-half horse, but he has the pace for a mile and travels so well.

"He has good acceleration and will be in everything. You've got to have an open book with him. We'll have a good eye on the Guineas. Whether he runs before or goes straight there or bypasses the Guineas we'll have to wait and see."

Jockey Atzeni said: "I've ridden some very good horses but he's definitely the best."