Bond Boy beat the elements and a strong field to take the Stewards' Cup on Saturday.

Last season's champion apprentice Chris Catlin brought the 14-1 shot through the pack on the favoured far side to take the �49,300 first prize by a length from Halmahera.

A late run of betting had seen Hurricane Floyd depose Border Subject as the 5-1 favourite for the big race of the day, but both horses struggled in the difficult conditions.

Border Subject who had been the favourite all week, got off to a blistering start as the field split into two distinct groups on either side of the Sussex Downs course.

But the chasing pack soon hauled back the difference and with around 50 yards to go Catlin and Bond Boy made their move, closely pursued by Halmahera.

With both horses neck-and-neck, Catlin was able to find that something extra, edging past Halmahera for first place.

For once, sprint king David Nicholls had to settle for minor honours on Undeterred (14-1), who was third for the second successive year.

Hurricane Floyd produced a strong finish to take fourth place.

Delighted winning owner Reg Bond said: "He was brilliant today. He's done what we've expected of him.

Moving victory

"The rain came just in time and we were very hopeful. We gelded him through the winter and he's come back in terrific form."

Earlier in the day, Islington had scored an emotional victory in the Vodafone Nassau Stakes, the second Group One race of the meeting.

Islington, running in the colours of the late Lord Weinstock, was a comprehensive six-length winner over Sulk with favourite Quarter Moon disappointing in third.

It was the second Group One win in the space of a week for the famous pale colours, following Golan's victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot last Saturday.

Like Golan, Islington is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and was ridden by Kieren Fallon.