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Fab five-timer for Hamish

Hamish stretched his winning run to five by making a winning reappearance in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes.

Having been unbeaten throughout 2023, William Haggas’ eight-year-old was anchored in the rear of the field through the early stages by Tom Marquand before starting to weave through rivals down the home straight.

The 5/2 favourite was in front a furlong out but was all out inside the distance to fend off the rallying Al Qareem (8/1) and 33/1 outsider Salt Bay by a neck and a nose.

Disappointment of the race was Arrest who was weak in the market and having raced wide through the early stages, weakened inside the final quarter of a mile to finish seventh.

Betfair and Paddy Power cut Hamish to 33/1 for the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

The winning rider told ITV Racing: "He's a superstar. Maureen (Haggas) rides him out virtually every day, he's a proper yard favourite and it's always even more satisfying when you get the job done on a horse like this.

"We were worried about the ground drying out but as long as there's no sting in it we're alright. He's obviously seen to better effect on softer ground hence winning by a neck when you felt it should probably have been two lengths but I got there a bit soon as well.

"He knows more about racing then I do and tells you when he's had enough but it's a case of job well done."

Chester next for winner

Haggas said: I’m delighted and he doesn’t really do a lot in front, the ground wasn’t really soft enough, he had a 3lb penalty, but he keeps winning and that’s terrific.

“That’s five-in-a-row and at Group Three level and now we have to go up in grade and see if he can cope with that. It will be the Ormonde (at Chester) or the Yorkshire Cup, but he does need soft ground.

“It does not rain at York anymore so that could be a problem, whereas Chester it always rains, so I suppose it will be the Ormonde. He won that last year but he will have a penalty, so we will see.”

Merchant bound for Royal Ascot

Metal Merchant showed his strength to ignite Royal Ascot dreams when victorious in the OLBG Spring Cup.

Trained by Jack Channon, the son of Make Believe struck twice as a juvenile, finishing his two-year-old season competing for Group Three honours.

He would add a further victory at Ascot during a busy three-year-old campaign, but wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet on his return to action at four, travelling powerfully before keeping on strongly for jockey David Probert in the closing stages.

Metal Merchant finished half a length clear of the William Haggas-trained 11/2 favourite Godwinson, with Channon now eyeing up a crack at the Royal Hunt Cup later in the summer for his 12/1 winner.

Channon said: “He’s a lovely horse who banged his head against the wall in some good races last year. We gelded him over the winter and his work has been exceptional during the spring. We thought he would improve a ton and I was quietly confident he would run a nice race, but you never know in these big-field handicaps – you can be on the wrong side, all sorts could happen. That was a very smart performance.

“We competed at a good level last year, he ran in the Britannia and the Silver Bowl at Haydock and ran really creditable races. He was a good two-year-old and a decent three-year-old and it wasn’t until we gelded him he’s really flourished, his work has been really nice this spring and he’s been working with the likes of Johan and Certain Lad.

“He’s going to be a nice horse to go for those big mile handicaps and take Johan’s place, who knows. I’d love to leave him now for the Royal Hunt Cup, but we will have to see how much he goes up (in the ratings) and see.

“He’s the type of horse who suits these big handicaps as he travels so well and he’s got a fantastic cruising speed. I think when you look at winners of Hunt Cups and Lincolns then you have to have a good cruising speed to hold your position early. Hopefully he can go from strength to strength.”

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