Green Destiny back on form on the Knavesmire

Report: York, Friday

Sky Bet Mobile Strensall Stakes (Group 3) 1m1f, 3yo+

GREEN DESTINY returned to the Knavesmire with a vengeance, maintaining his 100 per cent record at the track when holding off Tazahum in the hands of Kieren Fallon.

Sent off the 11-4 joint-favourite after a rush of late money, the four-year-old looked a Group performer in the making when sluicing up in the John Smith's Cup at the track earlier in the season, but disappointed last time at Goodwood when dropped to a mile.

Backup in trip, the William Haggas-trained colt picked up the leaders nicely, eventually winning by a length and a quarter from the dogged Tazahum, who was always in the firing line.

Penitent, Tazahum and Kings Gambit were all up with the early pace, as Fallon settled Green Destiny towards the rear of the field.

Turning for home Silvestre de Sousa opted to stick to the far rail on the other Haggas-trained runner Penitent, a move which saw him nick a couple of lengths and take the lead.

Tazahum began to wear down Penitent in the straight, but Green Destiny had moved to challenge smoothly and quickly picked off the pair. Tazahum, to his credit, refused to buckle for Richard Hills and kept the winner honest, taking second at 6-1.

Dux Scholar, the other 11-4 joint-favourite, stayed on steadily, without threatening to grab third.

Haggas felt the left-handed York track could be the reason behind the return to form. He said: "I've been thinking about why he has been getting beaten quite a bit and maybe it is because he's been going the wrong way round [right handed]. It's the only credible thing I can think of."

Asked about his thoughts on future targets Haggas added: "Not a lot - maybe the Prix Dollar, but that is the wrong way round, and maybe the Champion Stakes at Ascot, but that is the wrong way round."