Top Rank produces Superior finish at Haydock

Horse Racing

Queen Elizabeth II not out of the question for progressive winner.

Top Rank reinforced James Tate’s high opinion of him when bouncing back from defeat at York to take the Group Three Betfair Superior Mile at Haydock.

If Tate was disappointed at the time by his first reverse from five starts, the Newmarket trainer was ecstatic on this occasion as the four-year-old grey showed he was Pattern-race class with a convincing display.

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The 11-2 chance showed a decisive turn of foot for PJ McDonald to assert in the final furlong and take the honours by a length and a half from My Oberon, with the 6-4 favourite Khaloosy another length and a half away in third place.

“We’ve always hoped he’d be a good horse. We were absolutely devastated when he got beat the last day, but I suppose, in hindsight, that was part of his physical and mental education,” said Tate.

“I was there at York and you could tell after the race he was thinking ‘oh right, there is something else I can do’.

“I don’t thing he wants fast ground, but anything from good or softer.”

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day next month could be on the agenda.

“Group Two is the obvious stepping-stone, the Group One is the dream move. He’s entered anyway,” said Tate.

“I thought it looked like he stayed well today. A mile at Ascot would be fine, soft ground would be fine.

“It just depends if it’s a step too soon for him now. If not this year, we’ll certainly look forward to next year. He’ll be a lovely five-year-old. He’s five from six now.”

Top Rank was cut from 25-1 to 20-1 for the QEII with Betfair and Paddy Power.

Ryan Moore was back in winning action at Haydock
Ryan Moore was back in winning action at Haydock (David Davies/PA)

Ryan Moore came out of self-isolation in Ireland straight to the winner’s enclosure on his first ride back in Britain with victory on Fancy Man in the Betfair Exchange Ascendant Stakes.

The three-times champion jockey had been temporarily based in Tipperary ahead of Irish Champions Weekend, but was able to return to the UK for the Betfair Sprint cup meeting due to a change in Ireland to Covid-19 quarantine protocols for sportspeople.

Fancy Man (15-8 joint-favourite) was also travelling well as Surprise Exhibit, River Alwen and Desert History set the pace.

The Richard Hannon-trained colt quickened nicely to hit the front over a furlong out and cross the line three and a quarter lengths clear of the other joint-favourite, Alenquer, to give Moore his 50th success of the season.

“He’s a proper horse. I like him an awful lot,” said Moore.

“He’s a lovely, big, strong horse out a Galileo mare.”

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James Tate Haydock Ascot Champions Day Qeii

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