Halicarnassus, trained by Mick Channon at West Ilsley, emerged on top in a nail-biting finish to the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial at Newbury yesterday.

Tadgh O'Shea brought the three-year-old down the centre of the course to lead at the furlong pole, but he had plenty of challengers close to the line.

Soapy Danger, having his first run for 395 days, dug deep on his inside to lose out by a neck, with the 11-10 favourite Papal Bull staying on to finish a close third.

Channon said: "He is a fast-ground horse and the plan was always to come here, even though he ran at Goodwood last weekend.

"He is a tough and consistent horse and has never got the recognition he deserves."

East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison is not renowned for his first-time-out juveniles.

But Stimulation proved a different proposition as he landed a gamble on his debut in the first division of the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Maiden Stakes.

The Choisir colt was backed into 6-1 from an opening show of 11s, before seeing off Flowing Cape by a neck under Steve Drowne.