ROCKFEL BEATS PASCH

•After his defeat in the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster in September it was announced that Pasch was to retire. Later it was stated he would be a runner for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket at the end of last month. It was thought the mile and a quarter would so thoroughly suit him that he would be sure to end his racing career with a win. The result was an upset, as, though Pasch looked as fit as could be wished, he was outpaced and outstayed by the great filly Rockfel. Pasch could not get with Rockfel at any part of the last quarter-mile, and she beat him five lengths. The French colt L'Ouragan 111 was a poor third, and Portmarnock fourth.

Rockfel, who is a daughter of the Spion Kop horse Felstead, a winner of the Derby, has made remarkable progress, and it is now claimed she is the best three-year-old in England. Her first appearance last year was in a selling race, in which she was eighth of the eleven starters. She is not a handsome filly, her faults including a very plain head and a light neck.