Izzi Top sprints clear of Sajjhaa to land Middleton Stakes on Thursday
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Izzi Top quickens up well to land Middleton Stakes
Report: York, Thursday
Betfred Middleton Stakes (Group 2) 1m2f88y, 4yo+, fillies and mares
IZZI TOP saw off the strong challenge of Sajjhaa and Frankie Dettori inside the final furlong to give trainer John Gosden and jockey William Buick another big victory at York's Dante meeting.
The pair were locked together approaching the furlong marker but Izzi Top found more than the runner-up and she went on to score well by a length and a half as the 7-2 favourite.
Sajjhaa, who claimed second in this race last season, had to settle for the same spot again as she finished a length clear of the David Simcock-trained I'm A Dreamer, who had a troubled passage up the stands' rail.
Mohedian Lady, ridden by Kieren Fallon, made all the running at a decent pace and she was still in front as the runners came into the home straight.
But she was soon taken on by the strong-travelling Izzi Top and Sajjhaa, who was also moving well for Dettori on her outside.
Timepiece and Sea Of Heartbreak both launched their attacks up the inside of Mohedian Lady but they were outpaced by the leading duo.
I'm A Dreamer also attempted to challenge up the rail but she found her progress checked on more than one occasion and the leaders had quickened clear by the time she found a clear passage.
William Buick: eyeing a Group 1
PICTURE: Gerry CranhamIzzi Top knuckled down well to fightoff the persistent threat of Sajjhaa and she ultimately scored convincingly to follow up her success in the Group 3 Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes last time out.
Buick said: "I really like this filly, she's so tough and tries herhardest. What she needs now is a Group 1 and that is her obvious target.
"She jumps well from the stalls. I could probably afford to ride her a bit further back. But I just tried to make it as simple as possible - they can get away from you at the front. She was just looking around up the front a little bit."
Gosden added: "She's a lovely filly. Her big targets are the Nassau and the Prix de l'Opera and everything revolves around those two races."
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