2023 Durban July Result - Winchester Mansion edges out See It Again in thriller at Greyville

See It Again has sat atop the Durban July since his impressive victory in the Daily News 2000 and Mike Roberts' three-year-old entered the stalls as the clear favourite. Winchester Mansion was slightly weak in the betting throughout the morning and the second-favourite was joined in the market by last year's third, Safe Passage before the off.

Justin Snaith's team of five runners was led by three-year-old Without Question. Another Snaith runner, Pacaya also sat prominently in the betting, with Do It Again - the most successful horse in the history of the Durban July - coming in for support prior to his final outing on a racecourse.

All of the three-year-olds were well-backed on the morning of the July, with Billy Bowlegs joining Dave The King and Son Of Raaj at around the 12/1, 14/1 mark. Last year's Fillies' Triple Crown winner, Rain In Holland was also popular with the punters before the field was sent on its way.

2023 Durban July Result

As expected, Dave The King moved forward from his wide draw to cut out the early running. The early pace was fairly sedate, with Without Question and Billy Bowlegs slotting in behind the pace setter. See It Again was held up on the inside with Safe Passage and Winchester Mansion. Do It Again, Pacaya and Son Of Raaj were held up out the back.

Dave The King poached a four-length lead rounding the bend, but entering the home straight, the chasing pack had caught up. Rain In Holland and Son Of Raaj was forced widest of all to make their challenges, but as Dave The King gave way, eyes were drawn to See It Again as the favourite made his move down the inside of the field.

Pierre Strydom set sail for home at the three-furlong marker. Kabelo Matsuyane was the first to react aboard Winchester Mansion and the top two in the betting moved on to fight out the finish. See It Again and Winchester Mansion went at it hammer and tongs and, under the shadow of the post, it was Matsuyane's mount who edged his nose in front to win the Durban July.

See It Again lost nothing in defeat, losing out to Winchester Mansion by a neck. One of the market backmarkers, Bless My Stars stayed on to finish a fantastic third. Do It Again kept on well to place fourth in his third-successive Durban July, with Robyn Klaasen's Second Base claiming fifth place.