Tropics warmed up for a shot at next month’s Betfred Sprint Cup in thrilling fashion on Saturday with a second successive win in the Hopeful Stakes.

Benefitting from a skilful piece of race riding from Robert Winston, the six-year old runner-up in last month’s Darley July Cup went one better at Newmarket’s July Course to take the six-furlong Listed prize, sponsored by Stobart by a neck, despite being left short of room late on.

“I thought it cost us when the gap closed, but he just had enough time to do it nicely,” said Dean Ivory, winning trainer.

“It is a fantastic achievement for the horse and definitely better than last year’s win.

“I would have liked a bit more splash in the ground, but when he hits that rising ground he has got such powerful hind legs that push him up the hill. “That was his prep race for the Sprint Cup.”

Winner of the Class Three 1m5f handicap Nautilus looked a reformed character from the one that graced the very same winners’ enclosure 12 months ago when completing the second leg of a double for Newmarket trainer John Gosden.

Given an enterprising ride from the front by Nicky Mackay, the four-year old, who refused to come into the winners’ enclosure on his last visit to the track, had just enough in reserve to hold off the late thrust of Buthelezi, a one time former resident at Clarehaven Stables.

“Nautilus is a talented character and I told Nicky Mackay to let him do his own thing as certain horses train themselves,” said Gosden.

“He did a lot of running over the winter and he has appreciated a little holiday. He behaved beautifully today.”

The Bury Road handler started his double in the Class Three seven-furlong 35 minutes earlier through Kasb who took full advantage of a more realistic assignment having found competition in the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot too hot to handle last time out.

“That win should have got Kasb back in the zone now. Both the step up to seven furlongs and being gelded have helped him,” said Gosden.

Annual badge holder Des Thurlby saw his colours carried to glory at the track for a second time this season when Mr Win did just that in the Class Three six-furlong handicap despite trainer Chris Wall expressing fears about the ground being to lively.

“I thought he might want a bit more juice in the ground as he has always shown a liking to get his toe in,” said the Newmarket handler.

“That said he cam in to the race in very good form has he had been working well at home. He probably didn’t quite stay the seven-furlongs when he got beat at Yarmouth last time out and that is why we run him back over a galloping six-furlongs.”

The price tag for Astrophysics may now have gone up following his victory in the opening Class Four six-furlong maiden, with the two-year old still up for sale according to his owner and trainer David Elsworth.

“Joey (Haynes) said he went very well and still had a bit left at the end. He quickened nicely up the hill,” said the Newmarket handler.

“I brought him as a foal, and he didn’t sell as a yearling. He is a pretty useful horse and the for sale sign is still up.”

Sticking with tracks which call for stamina reserves to be tapped into could be the answer for Elhaame after the four-year old, who is trained in town by Luca Cumani gained an over due success this season in the Class Three 1m2f handicap.

“We are very pleased with Elhaame and that has saved our day,” said Matt Cumani, assistant trainer.

“Andrea (Atzeni) felt he hit the front too soon at Haydock, but it didn’t look to be a problem today. Ten furlongs is his optimum trip and a nice uphill finish seems to suit him so maybe it is a case of keeping to tracks like this.”

In the concluding Class Four five-furlong handicap Holly Shiftwell proved to be on a going day when gifting Graham Gibbons a rare winner at the track.