Johnny Murtagh powers to the line on Soldier's Tale

Takeover Target, fourth in the King's Stand Stakes on Tuesday, looked on course for the win but eventually lost out by a head to Johnny Murtagh's mount.

Trained by Jeremy Noseda, 9-1 shot Soldier's Tale has overcome a host of different problems to trumph in the six-furlong race.

Richard Hannon's 14-1 chance Asset was always prominent and claimed third.

Pre-race favourite Miss Andretti, bidding to land a sprint double after her win in the King's Stand Stakes, faded badly late on and finished out of the places.

Takeover Target started to challenge with two furlongs to go and powered on gamely as the challengers loomed.

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Red Clubs briefly took over but Takeover Target looked to have done enough before Soldier's Tale got his head in front in the shadow of the post.

Newmarket-based trainer Noseda said: "I think it might be my best day.

"He's been a horse with countless problems and we've got him back for this. He's such a tough horse and a brave horse. He deserves it.

"My owner deserves it for his patience and I should give a huge 'thank you' to the whole team at home for getting him back to win this. It's a fabulous, fabulous day.

"He's had countless fractures, colic surgery and pieces of his stomach removed. He has to have a special diet as he finds it hard to digest.

"We live in fear all the time of him getting colic again, but he's such a special horse. He's a fighter as he's been at the point of having to be put down twice."

A delighted Murtagh added: "It was very tight, but it was a great race.

"I got a lovely run through the race and when Takeover Target started to quicken up around two-out I thought he'd go and win the race.

"But my fellow put his head down and responded really well and just in the last 50 yards we were getting there with every stride."