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Hill stars at Newbury

3 minute read

Hillstar (11-4 favourite) ended a frustrating sequence of results to take Newbury's Group Three Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup.

Hillstar winning the King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
Hillstar winning the King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) Picture: Racing and Sports

Runner-up on his last four outings, the well-regarded colt finally made no mistake for the Sir Michael Stoute-Ryan Moore axis. Quest For Peace initiated what was a rather soporific gallop under Adam Kirby, with eventual runner-up Tasaday always to the fore.

Hillstar was fourth for much of the journey, and still held that position at the top of the straight. Kirby's partner eventually wilted at the two-furlong pole, at which point Tasaday set sail for home. But Hillstar had other ideas and was bustled towards the front 250 yards from home to score by a length and a half.

Cubanita stayed on late in the piece to take third place, another length and three-quarters away from the winner, with Glorious Protector a slightly disappointing fourth.

Stoute said: "He's done nothing wrong, but things haven't fallen right for him all year. He's very honest and consistent and I was delighted with that. He's a lot more chilled out these days and he might now go for the Canadian International at Woodbine."

Yeenaan put his experience to good use by securing an impressive victory in division one of the Wedgewood Estates EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes.

Marco Botti's youngster (9-2) was one of just four runners in the 14-strong field who had previously competed in a race and travelled smoothly from the outset as Harbour Patrol and Stoked jousted for the lead.

The latter gained an advantage two and a half furlongs from home, but Yeenaan had all bases covered and was soon nudged into an unassailable position by 5lb claimer Daniel Muscutt. Stoked, the 100-30 favourite, finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length, while Harbour Patrol was third.

Botti said: "When he ran at Newcastle he was as green as grass and needed the experience.

"Daniel said he didn't mind the ground, which augurs well for him having another run on grass before the end of the season. At the moment we will stick to seven furlongs, but I think he'll get further and be a very nice prospect next year."

Division two of the maiden went to Roger Charlton's McCreery (14-1), with the Tim Jarvis-trained Above The Rest (3-1 co-favourite) on the mark in the Heatherwold Stud Handicap.

The Mick Channon-trained Harlequin Striker (7-1) found the back of the net in the Dubai Duty Free Nursery Handicap, beating Looking Good by a length in the hands of Charles Bishop.


At The Races

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