Robert Cowell saddled Chic La Habana to make a winning debut in the Hilary Needler Stakes at Beverley. Report, reaction and free video replay.
1st Chica La Habana 6/1
2nd Maggies Angel 9/2
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Report
Mark Johnston was expected to double up with Rebel Assault in the Hilary Needler Stakes following Cardsharp's victory but the 2/5 favourite was well beaten as Chica La Habana made an eyecatching winning debut.
Trainer Robert Cowell and owners the Cool Silk Partnership took the Brian Yeardley with newcomer Prince Of Lir 12 months ago and he went on to lift the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Chica La Habana (6/1) showed she would not be out if place there as she won in convincing fashion under Adam Beschizza.
Rebel Assault was smartly away but was swallowed up at the business end of the five-furlong dash, with Chica La Habana getting the hang of the racing game and asserting in the closing stages to score by three-quarters of a length from Maggies Angel.
Reaction
Adam Beschizza: "She'll come on a stone for that run as the penny kept dropping during the race.
"She's been working well at home but we hadn't really given her a racecourse gallop or anything like that.
"I wouldn't like to say if she was a Queen Mary horse - Royal Ascot would be a big step up - but she'll improve for that."