BRILLIANT and exciting was how trainer Roger Varian described Kingston Hill's St Leger success at Doncaster last Saturday.

The son of Mastercraftsman, who was second in the Derby, came home with a storming late run under Andrea Atzeni to justify favouritism in the world's oldest Classic.

It was a first Classic win for Varian, who started training in 2011 following the retirement of his boss and mentor Michael Jarvis.

"I can't put it into words," said Varian. "It's brilliant, it's a relief and exciting.

"It's an exciting thing to win a Classic and it's what we're all in it for."

Varian has been forced to bypass a couple of targets with Kingston Hill this term because of quick ground and was worried about conditions at Doncaster in the build-up to the St Leger.

Last year's Racing Post Trophy winner, however, had no problems with the turf on Town Moor.

"It's great for the horse," Varian added on his website.

"We've had a bit of heartache with him through the year. He came good on the day and Andrea gave him a brilliant ride.

"I'm delighted for the horse to win a Group 1 this year. He looked a Classic horse at the start of the year and he's won a Classic."

The Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or Qipco Champion Stakes could be next for Kingston Hill, who runs in the colours of Paul Smith.

Further down the field was the Mark Johnston trained, Joe Fanning ridden Hartnell. While the pair were out of luck at Doncaster, they quickly jumped into a helicopter for Leopardstown's Champions meeting and were rewarded with a top performance and Group 2 success in the Boomerang Mile with Bow Creek.

The colt was second for much of the contest and as long-time leader Leitir Mor began to fade Bow Creek took up the running.

Bow Creek responded well to Joe Fanning's asking in the final furlong and kept the Dermot Weld Mustajeeb at bay to win by half a length, with Gordon Lord Byron in third.

Fanning said: "He is improving and has been all year.

"I thought the track would suit as he can hang a little to the left. I thought Mustajeeb was going to get by but I gave my guy a crack and he went on. I think he can step up to Group 1 races."

Beverley raced on Wednesday and, another, inspired ride from Fanning aboard Leaderene saw him double up in the Bet toteexacta Handicap.

Also trained by Mark Johnston, the gutsy filly galloped her rivals into submission and ran out a comfortable three-length winner from stable companion Sir Charlie Kunz.

Johnston said: "She had a bit of a setback after her last run and has been off for a while.

"She was very keen. There was a bit of a debate about whether she got a mile and a half but she stayed well today.

"This is relatively low grade, but it would be nice to step up a grade with her."

Earlier in the afternoon Mecca's Mirage got her supporters off to the best possible start in the Bet totejackpot Claiming Stakes, taking full advantage of her low draw in stall three.

Michael Dods' charge, who sports the colours carried to success aboard Mecca's Angel in the Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster last week, was able to track the early leaders from her rails pitch and was driven out under 3lb claimer Connor Beasley to score by three-quarters of a length from Millar Rose.

The jumpers are starting to step up a gear and Brian Harding was at his brilliant best at Kelso's twilight fixture on Wednesday as Santanic Beat gained a gusty win in the feature race.

Briefly joined two out by Gold Chain in the Handicap Hurdle, Jedd O'Keeffe's top-weight battled on bravely under his veteran pilot for a neck success.

The concluding bumper produced a cracking finish and yet again it was another winner in this sphere for Alan Swinbank as Divine Port came home in front, with the handler saying afterwards: "That didn´t surprise us. He´s too slow for the Flat, we´ll give him one more run in a bumper then we´ll go jumping."

Another busy weekend with Catterick racing close to home tomorrow afternoon and Ayr's big day in the sun with the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup taking centre stage.