Bob of heads goes against Master Of The Seas in G1 Turf Mile

Master Of The Seas was denied by the smallest of margins as he was caught on the line by Up To The Mark in a thrilling finish to the G1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland, USA, on Saturday, 7 October.

Looking to follow up his G1 Woodbine Mile success, Master Of The Seas was a little awkward leaving the stalls and soon disputed seventh on the inside of Up To The Mark as Indestructible made the early running.

Master Of The Seas quickened up the inside rail with three furlongs to race and pressed for fourth at the top of the straight. The son of Dubawi continued to make relentless headway under James Doyle and took up the running from Annapolis approaching the final half-furlong.

Up To The Mark tracked the run of Master Of The Seas and closed on the Charlie Appleby-trained runner all the way to the line, with the duo flashing past the post locked together. Up To The Mark took the race by a nose in a photo finish, with three lengths back to Set Piece in third.

Charlie Appleby said: “We know Up To The Mark is a good horse and he got us on the line. We will see how Master Of The Seas comes out of this and review things. The plan was to go back probably Tuesday or Wednesday, but if he stays for the Breeders’ Cup we will probably leave him here.”