Infraad won the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York | report, reaction and free video replay

Sent off the 100/30 joint-favourite, Infraad was never far off the pace set by Steel Raven and My Ballyquinn with Tom Marquand settling his mount on the rail in third.

Steel Raven turned up the pressure with half a mile to run, going three or four clear, as the whole field headed towards the stands' side rail for the first time this week.

Infraad needed a fair bit of rousting from Marquand on just his sixth career start but he never really looked like being caught although fellow joint-favourite Limestone and Ryan Moore got to within three parts of a length.

The winner saw off that challenge and galloped on strongly to win the 14 furlong contest by two lengths.

Galilean Quality and Who's Lope finished off their races well to take second and third with Tierra Del Toro fourth.

"A relentless galloper," Haggas said on Racing TV.

"He's quite raw; he was a bit juvenile before the race, sweating a bit and a bit edgy, he's got a bit to learn but Tom said he is pretty relentless and won comfortably."

Infraad holds an entry in the St Leger at Doncaster but Haggas was reluctant to commit his colt to the Classic, replying: "We won the Melrose a few years ago with a Highclere horse called Guarantee and he won by five lengths with top-weight and we ran him in the Leger and it was too quick for him.

"I suspect, I haven't spoken to His Highness [Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, owner], it will come too quick for him in his career, more likely the Noel Murless at Ascot on 2nd October. I don't like putting a gun to their heads too early; especially a big, raw horse and he's going to be a nice horse for a few years I hope so let's not squeeze the lemon dry too early.

"He's only just getting the hang of this and that was his first time at the distance, looked like it suited him well and could he develop into a Cup horse one day? Yes, he certainly could."

Marquand added: "I was trying to get him to engage with Limestone and it just took him a minute to really click but he didn't just fine one, he found two gears when I only expected one so a big performance and a lovely horse going forwards.

"I think he's maturing as he's having a bit more racing; different experiences, he went to Pontefract on fast ground, he went to Goodwood, that was tricky for him and he's doing a great job on the uptake and is picking up every ball we throw at him at the moment.

"I think he did enjoy that ground, certainly he enjoyed it a lot more than he did fast ground at Goodwood, but I think he's pretty versatile and I don't think he's a ground dependent horse. He's got a bit, relentless stride and it probably plays to his strengths when it's a bit tougher for everyone else."

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