Best Solution arrives late to win Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten

In a thrilling finish, the colt ridden by Pat Cosgrave took the honours on the line by a neck from Sound Check in second and joint-favourite Royal Youmzain in third half a length further back.

Best Solution had already produced a career-best this year when winning the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket last month, but despite that win and with a good claim for another success here, it required all of Cosgrave’s experience to seal the victory.

Having kept in contention throughout the opening half of the contest over a mile and four furlongs, the winner was in danger of missing out as they exited the final turn. Sitting in last place, the four-year-old had plenty of work to do two furlongs out but he responded to his rider and picked up to deny the fast-finishing Sound Check, as Royal Youmzain faded into third. Last year’s winner and fellow joint favourite Dschingis Secret had to settle for fourth.

The win represented a second successful German Group 1 winner in the space of a fortnight for Bin Suroor. His top-flight European success has dried up in recent years, but he had won a Group 1 at Munich with Benbatl last month and Best Solution’s win for the Godolphin operation was another welcome addition.

The trainer could keep Best Solution on his travels, with a trip to Australia for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup a possibility.

“All being well I think that’s the plan, but I’ll leave that to Saeed, who knows best,” said Cosgrave, who was riding his fourth Group 1 winner but his first since Society Rock in the 2011 Golden Jubilee Stakes.

“He’s got a bit lackadaisical out of the gates and last time at Newmarket was slowly away, and it was the same again today, but I think he likes being ridden cold anyway and likes something to aim at. It worked out perfectly today.

“It was quick ground, which was a bit against him, and it was a bit rough too, while he didn’t really handle the track – there are a few sharp turns on it – so I think he did well to win. It was a good performance.”

Cosgrave added: “I used to think he needed soft ground, but as he’s got older he’s got tougher and more versatile ground-wise. He seems to be improving with age.

“It’s great and he’s been knocking around winning Group 2s and Group 3s as well as running in Derbys and Sheema Classics; it’s nice for the horse to get a Group 1 and it’s a great result for the whole team.”