Tabdeed digs deep to deny old stager The Tin Man in thrilling finale

If Owen Burrows had any hair, you get the impression that Tabdeed would be the sort of horse who would have had him pulling clumps of it out, but all was forgiven after he started to fulfil his undoubted potential with victory in the Group 3 bet365 Hackwood Stakes.

The fact Tabdeed was making just his eighth racecourse appearance at the age of five says it all but he looked a sprinter of considerable promise after denying redoubtable veteran The Tin Man what would have been the most popular win of the day by half a length.

The pair could face off again in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock later in the season, although, with the past in mind, Burrows was mindful not to get too far ahead of himself.

"He's always threatened and promised that there's a good race in him," said the Lambourn trainer. "As a two-year-old he won first time out at Leicester and was lame straight after the race.

"He won first time out as a three-year-old and then I ran him in the Jersey Stakes on very fast ground and that really jarred him up. He was never one you could send back out three weeks later but since he's been gelded he's been a lot easier to train.

Jim Crowley (right) rode Tabdeed to victory in the Hackwood StakesCredit: Francesca Altoft

"Fingers crossed he's all right in the morning and we can keep planning. It would be great to have a season where we could get four or five runs into him."

Ground conditions will be crucial to his plans but Haydock's Sprint Cup on September 5 is certainly in the melting pot, with Tabdeed a 14-1 chance with the sponsors.

Burrows added: "He loves to attack off a fast pace and it's great to get a nice race with him. This would be as quick as he wants it but I wouldn't want it too soft if we looked at Haydock. If we get good or good to soft ground, we can kick on."

The Tin Man, who won the Sprint Cup in 2018, ran a mighty race at the age of eight and a trip to Haydock is also on his agenda.

Trainer James Fanshawe said: "It was really good to see him coming back to his best again and, all being well, he'll go to Haydock."

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