Montassib runs down Kinross to snatch Chipchase spoils
Cieren Fallon conjures up late charge from William Haggas-trained sprinter.
Montassib claimed the most notable victory of his career to date when narrowly outpointing Kinross in the Jenningsbet Nun Street Newcastle Open Now Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle. As a dual Group One and multiple Group Two winner, Ralph Beckett’s Kinross brought a touch of star quality to this six-furlong Group Three – and having sidestepped the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, the seven-year-old was a 5-2 favourite on what his first outing since October. The William Haggas-trained Montassib, who actually made a winning debut at Newcastle four years ago, landed Doncaster’s Cammidge Trophy on his first start of 2024, before finishing a creditable sixth in last month’s Duke of York Stakes. After coming under pressure shortly after halfway, Kinross battled his way to the front under Hector Crouch, but he was unable to resist the late surge of 7-2 shot Montassib and Cieren Fallon, who got up to score by three-quarters of a length.Montassib wins the Chipchase Stakes @NewcastleRaces for @WilliamHaggas and @CierenFallonJr3 pic.twitter.com/L6zKMXPFBW
— Ashley Iveson (@AshIveson) June 29, 2024
Haggas, who was landing this prize for the third year in succession following the recent triumphs of Sense Of Duty and Tiber Flow, said of his latest victor: “I’m delighted to win a Group Three with him, he’s a good horse who just wants a bit of cut in the ground. “I’m not sure where we’ll go now, but he won’t go to Goodwood for the Stewards’ Cup. He’d have to carry a Group-race penalty now, so I think we’re doomed (in handicap company). “I think we’ll stick to stakes races and go wherever we can get a bit of dig in the ground. “He’ll be an outsider, but it would be nice to think he might end up running on Champions Day at Ascot.”
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