Tag Archive for: William Haggas

Monday Musings: Nasty Business

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I’ll be missing the whole of Royal Ascot this week, so the freshly cleaned morning suit will remain on its hanger in the wardrobe, writes Tony Stafford. But the reason for it - ten days’ puppy watch while the beloved takes an educational language trip to Italy – brought home to me yet another reason why the UK is rapidly becoming the nastiest, most cynical and rapacious country in Europe

It’s long been annoying that Stansted airport – other airports are similarly greedy - charges a not inconsiderable amount just for dropping off a passenger at the Terminal. On Saturday, something since my last visit appeared to have changed.

I had never noticed directions to free drop-off – involves a bus – but this time I did. Anxious for a quick departure though, we made our way directly to the Terminal knowing a payment was needed. All my previous visits had involved paying by card at the end of the road after the Terminal but this time, all there is to see is a sign saying, “don’t forget to pay by tomorrow.”

At 3.30 am I jolted awake – “payment!” Trying to get on the right site, my bleary eyes were drawn to “airport-service.co.uk”. I went through the steps and was shocked to see an overall charge of £26, £10 for payment and £16 additional for “service”.  So, £26 for a one-minute slide through.

I knew I’d never paid even as much as £10 before and luckily, I was sufficiently awake to hesitate before pressing the button. I scanned the page again and noticed somewhere – “there are cheaper ways to pay this charge” or something of the like. I think it’s only when you get as close to paying as I had that this message appears.

“Airport-service.co.uk” was close enough to the top of the list that all drop-offees must visit - in second place behind the airport’s own payment site. The skilfully worded legend must draw many equally initially gullible people as me every day. Just while I was there, there was a non-stop succession of cars and taxis unloading. Nice work for the airport whether it was on their site or on that of the oh-so-helpful “Service” crowd, that no doubt passes on the tenner and pockets the rest.

There has been much discussion about the damaging effect of the internet on under-16s and the possible moves to ban them from using it over the past few days. How about a more general cleaning-up so that companies like Airport-service.co.uk are no longer allowed to fleece the public with such bare-faced misdirection?

So you’ve guessed. I’m annoyed to miss the five racing days of the year that I anticipate above all others – even more so than those two lovely spells at York with Mr and Mrs Cannon.

Those of you who can go will have a first-day feast in the clashes between the Charlie Appleby pair of Notable Speech and Opera Ballo and the William Haggas-trained More Thunder in the Queen Anne Stakes, and then the rematch between the 2,000 Guineas 1-2 Bow Echo (George Boughey) and Gstaad (Aidan O’Brien) in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The lure of Royal Ascot means that in both races there are talented horses waiting for a slip-up from the anticipated principals. The Queen Anne’s straight mile has been the source of a host of surprises, not least when Brook got the race in 1974 (I was there) upon the disqualification of the first three finishers. Docklands’ success at 12/1 in the race last year ought not to count as one of those.

Harry Eustace’s six-year-old has never been out of the first four in seven runs on the track and that sole fourth place was close up and barely a length behind the 100/1 winner Cicero’s Gift in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day over the course and distance last October. Since then, he has been clocking up the air miles and annexing foreign currency with a series of good runs in the Far East, either side of an easy win at Doncaster in March.

Again, though, has he the resources to withstand the sort of acceleration that the 2024 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech can unleash? The latest version of that came with a devastating burst to win a very competitive renewal of the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury a month ago.

Charlie can back him up with the seven-time-winning (from nine) Opera Ballo, whose demolition of Field Of Gold in the bet365 Mile at Sandown elevated him into an elite category.

Then there’s More Thunder, from the William Haggas team and the one singled out by Tom Marquand as the pick of his stables’ riches over the week. Haggas comes into the week in form, again with some spectacular results from his handicappers (really?) over the past few days.

I read an article quoting my old pal Kieran Fallon suggesting that maybe his son Cieren (different spelling - and accent!) could make a challenge for the jockeys’ title with Oisin this year. If he keeps getting on the right Haggas ones – he did on Saturday at York while Tom Marquand was messing around at Sandown, and had the pleasant task of a steering job, even after repeated blockages on his way through on Extremely Zain in a modestly-endowed for the day seven-furlong handicap.

Runing off 93 in a 0-95 handicap after two wins from two, Extremely Zain was the proverbial Group horse running in a handicap, except he was more probably a Group 1 horse dancing though a handicap. I don’t now how the handicapper was expected to put a figure on his initial wide-margin debut win and then narrow second victory in a Newbury novice.

He must have thought he was safe with 93. One hundred and three wouldn’t have made much difference. The much more valuable six-furlong sprint will seem – when it appears on the screen as a result or on paper if anyone still reads form in that way – much more closely-fought.

The truth is that Zac Lloyd, son of English-born but top Australian jockey Jeff, had everything well under control in that big field. Thunder Call was on 85. He’s another almost sure to get to three figures with a couple of well-chosen and remunerative stopping points along the way.

The rematch between Bow Echo and Gstaad will be the main item for many. At Newmarket, Bow Echo comfortably had the measure of Gstaad while both had the rest of the Classic field miles behind. Gstaad went on to win in Ireland but, with Bow Echo enjoying a steady build-up under Boughey’s single-minded approach, it’s hard to see how this unbeaten colt could be relinquishing his position at the top of the miling tree. I can’t wait to see him get his hands (hooves) on the older bunch.

In the far-off olden days, they would have had a runoff over four miles to decide things later in the day.

Talking of history, one of my favourite races down the years has been the Ascot Stakes. This year, the 20 runners include one from France, six from England and 13 from Ireland, including seven from Oaks-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien. Where have our staying handicappers gone?

James Owen does run one and I’m sure he wishes the lower-rated Carlton could have been high enough to get in; maybe he would have without the Irish logjam. He’ll probably run on Saturday in the level weights and slightly longer Queen Alexandra. The way he finished in the Chester Plate suggests he’ll stay the trip. Get your topper and tails ready, Mick!

I often sound off about handicappers, but in going for one of the non-Joseph Irish contingent, I admit the task in assessing a horse with one win on debut over 1m4f, a third place over 1m6f behind fellow Stakes entry Kizlyar (O’Brien), and then, from his mark of 91 from two outings, a smooth win last time over one mile, is a tricky one!

Now trainer Henry De Bromhead is asking his five-year-old Tim Toe to travel two and a half times as far. Champion Hurdles are one thing, but Henry also loves to go for the posh pots on the flat and this would be a splendid addition to his lengthy jumps honours board.

- TS

The Reverend pips stablemate to lift Old Borough Cup

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The Reverend defied trainer William Haggas’ pre-race worries with a narrow victory over stablemate Dramatic Star in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup at Haydock.

With stable jockey Tom Marquand on board, The Reverend was the 7-2 favourite for the prestigious handicap, despite the fact Haggas had voiced his concerns about the drying Merseyside turf.

Dramatic Star was the first of the Haggas pair to hit the front after being delivered with his challenge on the far side of the track by Jason Hart, but Marquand’s mount was doing his best work at the finish and got up to score by a neck.

Haggas said: “I thought he wanted softer ground, so what do I know? But he was in really good form today, he went to post beautifully – really full of zest .

“When he’s been not as good he’s quite keen, but today he raced beautifully. I’m sorry the other horse got beaten, but he ran a good race – he was in front a bit early and just had a look, but it wasn’t his fault, it was just the way the race worked out.

“The winner came off the bit two (furlongs) out and we haven’t really run him over a mile and six much before, but he ran right to the line and did well.

“I haven’t got any plans for him that I can think of. He’s won a £100,000 race today, which is what we kept him in training for.

“You’d have to ask Sean (Graham, racing manager to part-owner Tony Bloom), but I think it’s quite likely he’ll go to Willie Mullins at the end of the year – and then come back to (Royal) Ascot and beat us next year probably. That’s the usual thing!”

Haggas also landed the other £100,000 handicap on the card – the Betfair Plays In A Different League Handicap – with 4-1 shot Valiancy.

Fitted with cheek pieces for the first time having been placed twice since his first career victory at Hamilton in June, the three-year-old knuckled down for Saffie Osborne to beat Ride The Thunder by three-quarters of a length.

Haggas added: “He’s quite a lazy horse and he just kept going at the same speed, but fortunately it was quick enough.”

Democracy Dilemma led his rivals a merry dance in the Betfair Be Friendly Handicap.

Robert Cowell’s sprinter rocketed out of the stalls and after being steered across to the stands’ rail by Tom Eaves, the 12-1 shot did not see another rival on his way to an emphatic four-and-three-quarter-length success over 2-1 favourite Luna A Inbhir Nis, who was bidding for her seventh win of the season.

Dubai Honour goes for Baden-Baden gold

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Dubai Honour could set up an exciting tilt at the Japan Cup when he makes his first European start of the year at Baden-Baden on Sunday.

William Haggas’ globetrotting star finished second to Fantastic Moon when making the trip to Germany 12 months ago and will try to go one better in the Grosser Preis von Baden, as he faces off against the likes of fellow British raider Rebel’s Romance.

“He’s absolutely fine and this was always going to be his comeback race,” said Haggas.

“It looks a strong race with Rebel’s Romance and Goliath but it’s a Group One, so it should be a strong race

“He’s not getting any younger but he’s still all there. He’s retained all his enthusiasm and I think he’s in good form and bound to run a good race on Sunday, even though he has those two rated higher than him to contend with.”

Dubai Honour has famously thrived in Australia and took his Group One haul to four when claiming the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill in April, before also running with credit when second to Australian ace Via Sistina later that month.

The seven-year-old, who was last seen at Sha Tin in May, has Japan as his likely destination this autumn, with the Somerville Lodge handler eyeing a tilt at the Japan Cup.

“He won’t be going to Australia this autumn for their spring and we’re going to consider the Japan Cup this year because he won a ‘win-and-you’re-in’ race in Australia,” continued Haggas.

“He could go and do his stuff in Hong Kong, but we might try something different.”

Sky Majesty the Haydock hope for William Haggas in Saturday’s Sprint Cup

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Sky Majesty will bid to give William Haggas back-to-back victories in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday, with the trainer opting against running Almeraq in the Group One contest.

The three-year-old Almeraq was a five-length winner of the Ayr Gold Cup Trial last time and with that big handicap later this month already ruled out, Haggas and owners Shadwell were deliberating making a swift leap to Group One level.

However, a smaller step to Listed company is now the plan, with Almeraq to contest the Starman Garrowby Stakes at York the day after Sky Majesty lines up on Merseyside.

Haggas said: “We’re just going to run Sky Majesty at Haydock and Almeraq will head to York on Sunday.

“Any rain is going to suit Sky Majesty well and she’s heading there bang in form.

“Whether that form is good enough we will see, but she goes there fully entitled to take a shot.”

Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom alongside Ian McAleavy, Sky Majesty has really hit her stride of late with two impressive victories in Ireland which convinced connections to stump up the supplementary fee of £20,000.

The owners’ racing manager Sean Graham added: “Her best run last year was at Chantilly when she won on heavy ground.

“We’re very hopeful she will prove up to Group One level and if there’s going to be plenty of runners you can often need a little luck in running and sometimes the draw can play a part, but we’d be very happy she is heading there in good form and she’s entitled to take her chance.”

With the ground currently described as good, good to soft in places on Merseyside, it could prove the ideal opportunity for the filly to step back up to the highest level while in peak condition.

Sky Majesty also holds a Group One entry for the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on October 18, with Saturday’s outing set to provide a guide for future targets.

Sky Majesty rafter winning at Ayr last season
Sky Majesty rafter winning at Ayr last season (Steve Welsh/PA)

“You don’t get too many chances to have a crack at a Group One when conditions are in your favour and also she holds an entry in the Group One at Ascot on British Champions Day,” continued Graham.

“So Saturday will tell us if she has a right to run in that or if we’re flying a bit high and it will give us an idea where we’re going to go for the rest of the season as well.”

Sky Majesty is currently a 10-1 chance with the sponsors for the Sprint Cup.

William Haggas ‘gutted’ as setback scuppers Merchant’s Arc hopes

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Merchant will not run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after suffering a setback which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned colt was a Royal Ascot hero earlier in the summer before following up in the gloom of a rainy Goodwood afternoon in the Gordon Stakes, a battling success that inspired dreams of ParisLongchamp glory this autumn.

The son of Teofilo was due to put his Arc aspirations to the test in the ‘win-and-you’re-in’ Prix Niel this Sunday, but trainer William Haggas has been left “gutted”, as his name was missing from the list of confirmations on Wednesday.

Haggas told the PA news agency: “He’s just met with a little setback so unfortunately he will be out for the rest of the year.

“It was always the plan to go to ParisLongchamp for the Prix Niel but unfortunately we’re not going.

“We feel a bit gutted but sadly that’s just the way it goes.”

Merchant ends his season having won three of his four starts and advanced his career record to four wins from seven.

He has risen to an official rating of 115 thanks to his winning heroics, firstly at York during the Dante meeting and then subsequently in the King George V Stakes and at Goodwood.

No decision yet on promising Almeraq’s weekend target

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Connections of Almeraq have yet to decide whether to throw the promising colt in “at the deep end” in Saturday’s Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The William Haggas-trained three-year-old has won two of his four starts to date and was last seen making a mockery of an opening mark of 90 on his handicap debut at Ayr in July.

The son of Dark Angel has the option of returning to Scotland for the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup later this month but owners Shadwell are favouring a step up in class this weekend, with the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York on Sunday a possible alternative to Saturday’s Group One feature on Merseyside.

“No decision has been made as yet,” Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold said on Tuesday.

“I spoke to William this morning and it’s sort of depending a bit on the weather and how much rain they get (at Haydock). We’d like a good bit of rain for him as we know he likes soft ground and also we’re just debating whether we throw him in at the deep end or take a more gentle approach.

“We’ve been very patient with him, William has been very patient. He hasn’t had much racing and is a very unexposed horse, so from that point of view it might be asking too much to lob him straight in against the best and that’s what we’re discussing.”

If Almeraq does not head for Haydock, he could instead step up to the highest level on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot next month.

Gold added: “He’s in a Listed race at York on Sunday, so whether we go down that route first to try and make him a Stakes winner and then if he was to win that and win nicely we could look at the British Champions Sprint.

“He’s had so little racing this horse and has missed so much of the year with the firm ground, it will just be nice to get him back on the track and see where we’re going with him.

“There certainly is rain around, but you never quite know where it’s going to hit, so we’re going to work the horse in the morning, have another chat then and try and make the right decision.

“He’s also in at Ayr, but he’s not a Stakes winner as yet and we every much hope that he is Stakes class, so it would be nice to make him a Stakes winner.”

Lake Forest likely to head back to Australia

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Lake Forest is likely to gain another Australian stamp on his passport this autumn after his gallant second in the City of York Stakes.

The William Haggas-trained chestnut enjoyed a lucrative trip to Rosehill in November last year when winning the richly-endowed Golden Eagle ahead of Lazzat, who would later go on to win the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Lake Forest’s own Royal Ascot appearance saw him finish fifth in the Queen Anne, after which he was sixth in the Criterion at York and second in the Lennox at Goodwood.

He stepped back up to Group One level on his return to the Knavesmire at the weekend and ran a fine race under Tom Marquand, coming home half a length behind Never So Brave.

Sean Graham, racing manager to co-owner Tony Bloom, said: “The thing about Lake Forest is that he loves being in a battle, he doesn’t want to see too much daylight and in the race at York earlier in the season (eventual winner) Quinault had everything strung out like the washing.

“The same thing happened in the Lennox but he still ran a blinder as he was the only horse to come from off the pace, that form has stacked up because Jonquil (fifth) went on to win the Celebration Mile.

“We know he wants seven and a half furlongs in a strongly-run race with plenty in it on quick ground, so there are a couple of races for him in Australia in October and November and that will be the long-term plan.

“There’s one in Sydney and then there’s one on the final day of the Melbourne Carnival, both are quite valuable.

“He’s proven he can travel, he’s proven he’s tough as teak and when the ground starts to soften there won’t be much for him here anyway.”

Haggas also trains Sky Majesty for the same owners, with Ian McAleavy co-owning both horses alongside Bloom, and she is another horse in rare form having won the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes at Naas on Sunday.

She was a winner at the same track at Listed level prior to that, and with her liking for some cut in the ground it is likely that Champions Day at Ascot will be a key target now.

The filly won the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte on heavy ground at Chantilly last term, and having truly hit her stride this year she could bid for a Group One title to add to that Group Two win.

“Tom Marquand said the ground was beautiful at Naas, with a good bit of cut in it,” said Graham.

“I think her main target for the end of the season will be the Champions Sprint on Champions Day at Ascot, hopefully the ground will come up soft then.

“We’ll wait to see how she is before making any decisions, but that would be what we’re thinking.”

Bullet Point well made in York handicap

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Bullet Point could make a swift return to York on Saturday after stamping his class on Thursday’s £150,000 Clipper Handicap.

A winner at Newcastle and Newmarket in the autumn, the William Haggas-trained four-year-old picked up where he left off when completing his hat-trick at the Craven meeting in April and emerged with plenty of credit when second in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot next time.

Having again filled the runner-up spot at the Berkshire track last month, Tom Marquand’s mount was the 15-8 favourite to regain winning ways on the Knavesmire and while he was briefly caught in a pocket, he quickened up smartly once the gap came to win by a length from Cerulean Bay.

Haggas said: “He’s lovely, going round a bend probably helped him and he did that well today.”

Bullet Point has been declared for the Group Three Sky Bet Strensall Stakes this weekend and could well bid for a second win on the Knavesmire before a planned trip across the globe next month.

“He’s declared for the Strensall and we always looked at doing both so we’ll see now. We’ll have a look at him on Saturday morning,” Haggas added.

“He’s going to go into quarantine to go to Australia on September 28 to run in a race called the Five Diamonds (Rosehill, November 8) which is a nine-furlong five-year-old (southern hemisphere) only race.”

Charlotte’s Web (11-4 joint-favourite) shone for Simon and Ed Crisford when taking the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.

Stepping to a mile and half under Danny Tudhope, the four-year-old travelled patiently before making headway int he final furlongs to score by a head from Crepe Suzette.

Ed Crisford said: “We’re really pleased, she’s taken another step forward.

“We were slightly concerned about the trip because we were stepping up to the mile and a half for the first time, but she travelled super well and came into the race nicely.

“We wanted to take our time today and that’s what Danny did. That last half-furlong you could see her tying up a bit, bit she got away with it.

“There’s no immediate plans, but there should be plenty for her. I think she’d probably like a bit softer ground.”

Andrew Balding’s Stellar Sunrise justified 100-30 favouritism in straightforward fashion in the Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.

The Space Blues colt had beaten the highly regarded Naval Light on his previous outing and thrived for the step up to seven furlongs.

“Andrew has always loved this colt and he won really well at Goodwood. This was always the plan,” said Harry Herbert, representing owners Royal Ascot Racing Club.

“Oisin (Murphy) was so confident this week and said he was probably his best ride of the week so it’s lovely to see him do it.

“I’d imagine we’re looking at black-type races.”

The British EBF Fillies’ Handicap was then claimed by William Knight’s Royal Velvet, who bounced back from a blip last time out with a one-length victory under William Buick at 12-1.

“I don’t know what was up with her at Newmarket the last day,” said the trainer.

“We were scratching our heads, but that was an impressive performance today.

“We’ll probably start looking for some black type, I just don’t want the ground to go for her.”

More Thunder keeps up winning momentum in Hungerford Stakes

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More Thunder continued his brilliant summer when powering home for an impressive victory in the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

Only an agonising Royal Ascot defeat in the Wokingham counts as a slight blot on the copybook of William Haggas’ four-year-old this season. He was scoring for the fourth time in a campaign which has seen him now successfully climb the ladder into Group company.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite after landing the spoils in the Bunbury Cup last month, Tom Marquand had More Thunder in his customary position away from the pace as Hackwood Stakes winner Rage Of Bamby and Lennox Stakes victor Witness Stand disputed the it and led the runners into the closing stages.

However, the complexion of the race changed once Marquand eased his mount into top gear, weaving his way to the front with half a furlong to run before darting clear in tremendous fashion late on.

More Thunder finished two and a quarter lengths clear of Witness Stand who kept on gamely for second and Marvelman a head further back in third.

Haggas said: “He’s progressing well and I was very pleased with him today, he won well.

“I still don’t really know what his best trip is, but he seems to be getting better anyway and he was strong at the finish today, he wasn’t stopping.

“I think he’s quite effective if not at his best on slower ground and he’s been fun. He’s done very well and beat a horse who won a good race last time, so hopefully the form is strong and he’s won comfortably so I’m delighted.”

Jockey Tom Marquand with More Thunder at Newbury
Jockey Tom Marquand with More Thunder at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

More Thunder holds a host of high-ranking entries at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile later in the season and with Group Two honours secured, the Somerville Lodge handler raised the possibility of stepping up to the highest level before the year is out.

“I would say all options are open for him,” continued Haggas. “We’re in everything from six furlongs to a mile and he’s won a Group Two now so we’ve got to go for another Group Two or a Group One and it will just depend on how many more races we’re going to give him this season.

“He won at both the Craven and the Guineas meeting so he has been on the go for a while so we will have to see.

“We need to make plans, will he retire or race again as a five-year-old? So we’ve got lots to think about – but it’s nice thinking.”

Ascot run might not add up for Haggas’ Economics

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William Haggas fears Champions Day at Ascot on October 18 will come too soon for Economics, with winter targets in the Middle East now more likely.

Last year’s Dante and Irish Champion Stakes winner was being readied for a Royal Ascot return but met with a setback.

It has been a slow recovery for the four-year-old, and Haggas is almost on the verge of admitting defeat in him running in Europe this year.

“He had an injury in the run up to Ascot and he’s not going to make Ireland, I’ve taken him out of Ireland but I’ve left him in the Champion Stakes,” Haggas told Sky Sports Racing.

“I suspect he might not even be ready to run his best by then, so somewhere in the Middle East in the winter could be his first port of call.

“I’m delighted to say his sporting owner has confirmed he’s going to stay in training next year and I hope we’ll get a clear run with him then.

“It’s been a sensationally frustrating time for us with him.”

More Thunder moving up in class at the weekend

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More Thunder is all set to have his first run in Pattern company in Saturday’s Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes.

William Haggas’ rapidly improving four-year-old won over 10 furlongs for Sir Michael Stoute last season, but his new trainer wasted no time in reverting to sprinting.

He won a six-furlong handicap at the Craven meeting off 87, followed up at the Guineas meeting off 92, was beaten a head off 98 in the Wokingham and won the Bunbury Cup over seven furlongs last time out off the same mark.

Now up to 103, connections feel it is time to test the water at a higher level, starting with this Group Two contest.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to More Thunder’s owner Saeed Suhail, said: “I can’t see why he won’t be up to it, he’s unlucky not to be unbeaten this season.

“Because he’s only been running in handicaps his rating is still pretty low compared to some in the race, but I’d be very disappointed if he wasn’t up to this level.

“He’s very versatile regarding trip. For now I think seven suits him, but I know his jockey (Tom Marquand) thinks he’s at his best over a strong-run six, which is quite hard to believe given Sir Michael started off with him at 10 furlongs.”

With More Thunder in action this weekend, Never So Brave, in the same ownership and trained by Andrew Balding, has the Sky Bet City of York Stakes on his agenda.

“He’ll be going to the new Group One at York, he’s improving with every run and looked good at Ascot,” said Raymond.

Also in contention for the Newbury race are Lennox Stakes winner Witness Stand, the Charlie Appleby pair of Notable Speech and Shadow Of Light, Marco Botti’s Great Generation and Eve Johnson Houghton’s Rage Of Bamby.

Merchant route could encompass York or France

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The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York or a trip to France for the Prix Niel have been identified as the possible next step for the exciting Merchant.

Trained by William Haggas for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, all connected remain on cloud nine after the son of Teofilo followed up his Royal Ascot triumph in a wet and gloomy Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and he will attempt to carry on climbing the middle-distance ladder once recovering from his exertions on the Sussex Downs.

“We’re all so thrilled and everyone is absolutely delighted. It was the most extraordinary day’s racing and we were just relieved he managed to get his nostril in front,” said Highclere’s Harry Herbert.

“He’s having a well-deserved quiet week now and then William will decide, as he sees how the horse has come out of the race, whether we go to the Voltigeur (August 20) or a race like the Prix Niel (September 7) in France.”

The last four Gordon Stakes winners have gone on to contest the St Leger but connections of Merchant were coy on the idea of the Doncaster Classic in the immediate aftermath of his Goodwood triumph.

The colt’s name was a notable omission from the entries for the Town Moor showpiece earlier this week, with his team confirming their initial thought process of remaining at a maximum of a mile and a half for the time being.

Herbert explained: “We have been talking together for some time and sometimes these things are not quite explicable, other than your own gut feeling and that of the trainer as well, and going a mile and six at this time of his career didn’t appear to be in the best interest of the horse going forwards.

Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant
Jockey Tom Marquand celebrates after winning aboard Merchant (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“Rightly or wrongly we have made that decision and we’ll see how we get on when he steps up another grade next time.”

The St Leger may have been shelved, but Merchant’s Gordon Stakes triumph ignited dreams of a greater prize in the autumn, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe now firmly coming into sight.

Currently without an entry for Europe’s richest middle-distance prize, Merchant still has to convince all associated to stump up the €120,000 required to supplement, but a strong showing in his next outing could see the Highclere team embarking on a voyage to the French capital on October 5.

“When the entries closed for the Arc it would have been absolutely ridiculous as I think he was rated 82 at the time and it’s not something you can enter willy-nilly,” added Herbert.

Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot
Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“But having said that, we think the Arc must not be dismissed and, as the fast-improving three-year-old he is, you never know. If it’s not right he won’t run, but if it is and he’s won a Voltigeur or a Prix Niel, then we would absolutely consider it.

“Every race now is exciting and when I looked at him, even in that appalling weather at Goodwood, as he was going round the parade ring before the Gordon, you could see a significant change since Ascot and I think there is significant progression to come.

“He’s in the most capable hands with William and his team and we will keep everything crossed. We’re looking forward to the next step wherever he goes and wherever William thinks is the best option having had that very hard race at Goodwood.”

Deauville calling for progressive Almeraq

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Impressive recent Ayr winner Almeraq could head to France next weekend for the Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud at Deauville.

The lightly-raced William Haggas-trained colt bolted up in Scotland, winning an Ayr Gold Cup trial by five lengths.

Given how impressive he was a hefty rise in the weights was on the cards and he has been put up a stone by the assessor.

Haggas now holds Group-race aspirations for the Shadwell-owned three-year-old, but a tilt at the Ayr Gold Cup next month has not been ruled out.

“We’ve put him in a Listed race at Deauville, so that is a possibility,” said Haggas.

“He went up 14lb for his win the other day so he will get in the Ayr Gold Cup now.

“I’ll put him in it. We hope that he’s going to reach dizzier heights than that at some point at this stage.”

Sam Hawkens books Australian ticket with Summer strike

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William Haggas is planning a trip to Australia with Sam Hawkens after the progressive four-year-old justified 4-1 favouritism in the Coral Summer Handicap at Goodwood.

On a hat-trick following wins at Newcastle and Hamilton, Tom Marquand’s mount was good value for the winning margin of half a length over Dancing In Paris, with Aeronautic a neck further behind in third.

Haggas was completing a quick-fire double after landing the opening Glorious Stakes with admirable veteran Al Aasy.

Of Sam Hawkens, he told Racing TV: “I was pleased with him, he’s really improved this year. Sam, our son, bought him last summer online, we didn’t really like him much when he came and he ran two pretty ordinary races.

“We gelded him over the winter and he’s taken a bit of time, but the horse has really thrived and is obviously in good form and on good terms with himself as he went to Newcastle and won and went to Hamilton and won and he’s come for a big race today and won.

“He’ll go to Australia I think. We’ve booked a place in quarantine on September 5 and the race is on October 18, so I think we’ll go now.”

Al Aasy’s rider Jim Crowley completed a double of his own in the Whispering Angel Handicap aboard the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mudbir.

A 4-1 shot having won two of his three previous starts this season, the three-year-old moved to the front entering the last half-furlong and while Dance In The Storm then swooped with what looked like a winning challenge, Mudbir found more to win in a photo finish by a short head.

The stewards did hold an enquiry after the first two came close together in the heat of battle, but the placings remained unaltered.

Crowley, riding his 100th Goodwood winner, said: “This is my local track and it’s always been very lucky for me over the years. It’s been lucky again today.

“I hope Mudbir continues to progress, he’s a lovely horse and still very green. He had to be very brave to go through a gap – he got a smack across the face as he went through.

“When he hit the front, he was still a bit green, but I always felt he was holding the second.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Isaac Newton toughed out victory in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.

Beaten a nose when second to stablemate New Zealand on his Curragh debut two weeks ago, the Camelot colt was an 8-13 favourite to go one better under Ryan Moore and while odds-on backers were made to sweat, he got rolling late to deny Evanesco by a neck.

Moore said: “He ran a lovely race, he had a very good run the first day at the Curragh and the third horse (Action) just won at Galway, so the form looked fairly good.

“I suppose seven furlongs on this track was probably not ideal for him, but he did everything right and got into a nice rhythm and stayed going well.

“He showed a good attitude and he’ll continue to improve from race to race.”

The Coral Golden Rewards Shaker Handicap brought the five-day Qatar Goodwood Festival to a close and it was Andrew Balding’s 11-8 market leader Gladius who sent favourite backers home happy with a hard-fought success over Whip Cracker in the hands of William Buick.

“He’s had to do it the hard way, he was posted a little bit wide, but William has done a lovely job,” said Balding.

“He’s a lovely horse, he doesn’t show a huge amount at home so each time we’ve run him it’s been a pleasant surprise and hopefully he can keep going because he keeps improving.

“He’s won a handicap today off 94 and we’ll probably go for another handicap in my opinion, but we need to discuss that with his partners.”

Al Aasy defends Glorious Stakes title in style

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Al Aasy came from last to first to successfully defend his Coral Glorious Stakes crown at Goodwood.

The William Haggas-trained eight-year-old claimed the fifth of his seven Group Three victories to date in this race 12 months ago before going on to land the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury in August and the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on his first start of this season in April.

Despite coming up short in two subsequent outings, most recently finishing seventh in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, Al Aasy was a 13-8 favourite on his return to the Sussex Downs and after being settled at the rear of the five-strong field for much of the way, he picked up well when asked to go about his business by Jim Crowley to run down his rivals and pull three lengths clear of Meydaan at the line.

Haggas told Racing TV: “He’s terrific, isn’t he? He’s a fabulous horse. He’s pretty reliable in this grade when things set up like that.

“They didn’t go very fast today and he usually likes a stronger pace and they slow down a bit, but they picked up well up the straight and he still found a gear. He actually ran on strongly today as usually he wins by half a length or a neck.

“He’s been called some names in the past and I wish people would respect him for what he is. He’s a very talented horse, he just needs to be ridden like that – you need to wait and wait and wait.

“I haven’t put him a Group One race and we think at eight years old this is probably his level, Listed and Group Three races and maybe the odd Group Two are fine for him. He’s a useful horse.

“He’s a very strong traveller, so you can imagine at home when we don’t get them off the bridle he looks like Nijinsky every time! He catches the eye every morning, so he’s been a joy for us.”