Hamish banishes ground fears and books 2020 Ebor ticket with Melrose success

Hamish advertised his credentials for next year's Sky Bet Ebor when he made an emphatic handicap debut for William Haggas in Saturday's Sky Bet Melrose Handicap.

Owned and bred by the trainer's father Brian, the lightly raced three-year-old appeared to appreciate the step up to a mile and six furlongs, kicking on to challenge leader First In Line before staying on strongly to score.

In winning the competitive handicap, the son of Motivator has now qualified to run in next year's Ebor as the race is one of three 'win and you're in' contests alongside next year’s Grand Cup and Jorvik Handicap.

Upon being told of Hamish's qualification, the trainer's wife Maureen responded: "Brilliant, that will do! We needed that as well – we've had a bad week so it's nice to have a winner."

Having refused to race at Redcar and misbehaving when third at Newbury, connections have not had a smooth ride with Hamish, and Haggas revealed the winner almost did not run in the Melrose at all.

"This is what he was bred for," she said. "We were worried about the ground and even thought about taking him out at one stage, but Brian had lunch booked!"

Zaaki toughs it out in Strensall

Zaaki bounced back from his Lennox Stakes disappointment to land the Group 3 Strensall Stakes with a roaring finish under Ryan Moore to win by a neck.

The four-year-old could manage only seventh at Goodwood having claimed the Diomed Stakes earlier in the year, but the step up to 1m1f appears to have done the trick.

Zaaki shows resolution in spades in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Zaaki follows Group 1 scorers Mustashry and Lord Glitters in winning the contest, and was cut to 12-1 (from 16) to follow up in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and earn his own top-level success.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained performer needed to be at his best to defeat Bangkok, who showed signs of returning to form himself with a power-packed finish.

James Doyle came in for the ride after Silvestre de Sousa's injury at Chelmsford, and was pleased with his mount's performance.

"I was delighted with Bangkok – he ran a really nice race back down in trip," said Doyle.

"We were caught with no cover, which was a bit of a concern but he settled really well and he did everything perfect."

Alligator Alley proves too sharp

A somewhat incident-packed start for Alligator Alley proved no bother as the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt ran out a cosy winner of the Listed Julia Graves Roses Stakes.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite, the Kingman colt travelled strongly from the back of the field to pounce on the longtime leaders at the line.

Alligator Alley (leading left) gets up in time to grab Listed honoursCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Winning rider Donnacha O'Brien said: "I broke a half-length slow and the two either side of me sandwiched me, but he's done well to win from there."

The juvenile, who finished a length-second behind Liberty Beach at Goodwood, has improved with every start and looks likely to stick to the minimum trip for the time being.

"It's very hard for any horse to make that amount of ground over five furlongs here so I think you can mark up that performance. The step back to five has been the key to him and I'd like to stick to that with him," O'Brien added.

Dettori adds to dazzling week

Frankie Dettori returned to York's winner's enclosure for the fourth time this week, courtesy of Forest Of Dean's straightforward win in the Sky Bet Handicap over 1m2½f.

Fourth behind the exciting Headman in the London Gold Cup at Newbury in May, the John Gosden-trained colt caught the eye when running out a straightforward winner at Goodwood and Group company could be next.

Frankie Dettori: enjoyed a stellar week at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dettori said: "He's improving with every run, he ran well at Newbury and Goodwood and I suspect his handicap days are nearly over."

Dennis at the double

Que Amoro's victory in the concluding apprentice handicap brought jockey Phil Dennis's winning tally at the Ebor meeting to two.

The Dash-winning jockey had on Thursday landed a 66-1 surprise on Excellent Times in the 7f fillies' handicap.

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