'It was a mistake to run last time' - Mostahdaf bounces back to winning form

Saturday: Kempton

John Gosden admitted it was a mistake to run Mostahdaf at the July festival but there was no such cause for regret after the Unibet September Stakes as the four-year-old denied Dubai Honour.

Mostahdaf scored on his seasonal reappearance for John and Thady Gosden in the Gordon Richards Stakes and finished runner-up in the Brigadier Gerard before stepping up in trip for the Hardwicke Stakes.

He was second to Broome at Royal Ascot and then finished down the field in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket in July but he bounced back in style under Dane O'Neill at Kempton.

Sent off at 6-1, Mostahdaf cruised into contention before taking the lead on the home straight and hanging on to deny the favourite Dubai Honour, who was dropped into calmer waters after finishing second to Baaeed last time and rallied late after being held up.

Mostahdaf: held off the fast-finishing Dubai Honour (right)Credit: Mark Cranham

"He quickened up well," said Gosden, who won the Group 3 for the fourth time in five years having struck with Enable and Royal Line.

"Richard Kingscote set a sensible pace aboard Solid Stone up front alongside Gear Up for Joseph O'Brien, but Mostahdaf was in the perfect position one off the rail and he kicked on up the straight. I felt it was tough for Dubai Honour to come back off that pace.

"Mostahdaf was a bit edgy last time and it was too soon after a huge run at Ascot. He was joint-favourite and it looked like a Group 2 there for the winning, but it was a mistake to run – we do make those."

The winner was introduced at 33-1 for next month's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by Paddy Power, and Gosden added: "We'll work out what's there in October. He's unlikely to run again this month."

Talented juvenile

Mischief Magic was slashed for this month's Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes after powering clear under Pat Dobbs in the Sirenia Stakes.

The two-year-old was cut to 7-1 (from 12s) by Paddy Power after providing in-form trainer Charlie Appleby with his second juvenile success of the day following Naval Power's Ascendant Stakes win at Haydock.

Mischief Magic was towards the back of the field turning for home in the Group 3 but showed an impressive turn of foot when switched out to finish two lengths clear of 40-1 shot Believing.

Mischief Magic: was cut for the Juddmonte Middle Park StakesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"He didn't jump brilliantly, so I didn't have much choice but to drop in," said Dobbs. "I was always travelling but when I gave him a squeeze there was plenty of horse left and we got there too soon. He's got a very good turn of foot and we picked them off quickly."

On his Group 1 credentials, Dobbs added: "He's got a good head on his shoulders. He's relaxed and will get seven furlongs. I'm not sure how far he can go but he's definitely going in the right direction."

Howarth scores

Christian Howarth celebrated the biggest win of his fledgling career when landing the Unibet London Mile Series Final on First View.

The five-year-old gave the apprentice his 24th success of the year when finishing half a length clear of 10-1 shot Baldomero and was cut to 14-1 (from 25s) for this month's bet365 Cambridgeshire.

"It all panned out perfectly," said Howarth. "He's very tough and is improving. I just sat behind the leader, got a breather around the bend and kicked early. This is my biggest win."

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