Johnny Barnes, the Bermuda-owned thoroughbred, ran an impressive race to finish fourth at the Gigaset International Heritage Handicap at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire on Saturday.

The 25-1 outsider, ridden by William Buick, earned his handlers just over £6,000 for his efforts. In an e-mail to Simon Scupham, the Bermuda Thoroughbred Racing chairman, Harry Herbert, the manager of Highclere, the racing syndicate that oversees the BTR operation, said: “As per usual he broke slowly but William Buick was happy to let him roll along towards the rear of the stands side group.

“With three furlongs or so to run JB was still well on the bridle, which was so exciting, and as William asked him for his effort he quickened all the way to the line just getting his head in front to finish fourth.

“He really did make up a tremendous amount of ground doing this showing a brilliantly competitive attitude.”

Herbert added: “The most exciting thing to me was seeing the horse looking so well, moving fluently and really enjoying himself again.

“On today’s performance there is surely another good race to be won with this charming horse before the end of the season and when conditions are in his favour.”

Stamp Hill, a 50-1 outsider, turned the highly competitive Gigaset International Heritage Handicap into a procession.

The Richard Fahey-trained four-year-old had been well beaten in all his four starts this season, but hit form to take the £93,000 first prize for connections. “We always thought he had the ability, but I think the combination of blinkers first time and the ground helped him so much,” Paul Hanagan, the horse’s jockey, said.

“I think I’ve ridden bigger-priced winners, but not in a race as valuable as this.”