The old maxim that success breeds success was doubly exemplified by Hampshire trained Simple Verse and the French invader Solow at Ascot's Champions Day yesterday.

Both have undergone remarkable transformations, the former having been beaten in a nondescript handicap at Goodwood in May and the latter being brought back from middle distance obscurity.

Unlike the Doncaster controversy when she won the St Leger, then lost it on disqualification until she was finally re-instated on appeal, Simple Verse ran out a clear and spirited winner of the fillies and mares race, her stamina coming into play as she collared the enterprisingly ridden Journey in the shadow of the post to amply reward Sheikh Al Thani who had sponsored the meeting.

Thrilled trainer Ralph Beckett said: "Things happened just as I had hoped. I wasn't sure this straight suits her. I think it's too short. She has got better and better. She did a great piece of work on Monday. I am pleased for the owner."

Referring to the St Leger, "It's been a bit traumatic for him. It's not been easy to put it mildly. And I'm pleased for the team who have done a fabulous job."

The Sheikh, who received the trophy from his mother, intends to keep Simple Verse in training next year when she will target the major mile and a half races, principally the King George at Ascot in July. "Doncaster was Doncaster and this makes this win all the more sweet."

On a sunless afternoon, Aiden O'Brien finally lifted the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Ascot by declaring Gleneagles for his much anticipated clash with Solow in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes but his fears of the soft going not just spoke volumes but shouted them as he drifted ominously in the market and foundered equally badly on the course.

The 2,000 Guineas winner had been taken out of last four intended races because of the ground and O'Brien admitted afterwards it should have been five but he felt compelled to run him.

"We had her eyes on the Breeders Cup Mile and we took a chance here to see what would happen. The race was messy and Ryan said he would have liked him to have been closer than he was.

“He ran from the three to the one furlong marker and then it just all went after that.”

However his demise should not detract from Solow who registered his ninth consecutive triumph, three of them at Ascot, after being dropped in distance by Freddie Head.

"He is something special," exclaimed the French trainer who will follow the same programme for the grey next year. "He is very sound, very easy to train and always fit."

As muc h as Gleneagles detested the ground, another Irish challenger Fascinating Rock revelled in it, weaving through the field to deny O'Brien consolation with Found and upsetting the Irish Derby victor Jack Hobbs in the process.

"You need a bit of luck and today I got it," jockey Pat Smullen conceded of his fortuitous final furlong passage. "They went fast and I was happy to sit back. He's a little under-rated, he is a very good horse. He can only improve for next years."