Chindit justified short odds with a straightforward success in the Listed SBK Doncaster Mile Stakes.
Sent off the 8/13 favourite on his first start since October, Chindit did give his supporters a few anxious moments when fighting for his head as Tempus dictated just a steady gallop through the half of the race.
Tempus caught a couple of his rivals flat-footed when quickening entering the final two furlongs and Chindit needed to be pushed along by Rossa Ryan to get on terms.
However, the favourite's class soon told and he ultimately ran out a comfortable winner, landing the spoils by two and a quarter lengths as Tempus kept on well for second as the outsider of the field at 22/1.
The win also brought up a treble on the card for his rider Ryan, who had struck earlier aboard Persian Force and Arthur's Realm.
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Ryan said: “He’s done this with class more than anything. He’s just fresh. He has started to settle at home and in his work. The more he’s been doing the better he’s been going. Today, he lit up going down the start and wanted to get on with it.
“He’s a class act to pull as hard as he did and to get to the front and then idle but he put the race to bed and I’d like to see him come on again.
“The Chindit I ride, I think he wants fast ground. It’s really gluey out there and he hated it. When he did get to the front he held a bit for himself which shows he’s minding himself. If he comes forward again, hopefully a big one can fall for him and we’ll see the Chindit we saw as a two-year-old.”
Hannon’s senior head lad Tony Gorman said: “He’s a lovely horse. I know he only won once last year but he ran some super races. He was up there at the top level and ran in all the good races so he deserves to come back and win again.
“He didn’t help himself today, he was a little bit keen. He was very fresh as well. Why not go for the Lockinge? We’ll have a look and see. It’s hard to hang on to him until Ascot.”
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