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'They're not winning rubbish races' - fine form thrills red-hot William Haggas

Sea Silk Road (Tom Marquand) beats Eternal Pearl (William Buick,left) in the Height Of Fashion StakesGoodwood 20.5.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Sea Silk Road (yellow) digs in deep to repel Eternal PearlCredit: Edward Whitaker

Friday: Goodwood

A rampant William Haggas might have been disappointed with Lysander's effort in the Derby trial on the card, but little else went wrong for the Newmarket trainer who won the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes with Sea Silk Road and doubled up in the 7f handicap with Montassib.

Haggas, in glorious form, enjoyed a treble at Newbury headlined by the brilliant Lockinge winner Baaeed on Saturday and two other Listed victories followed this week before Sense Of Duty also struck at that level at Haydock on Friday.

Tom Marquand and William Haggas after the Height Of Fashion StakesGoodwood 20.5.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Dream team: Tom Marquand (left) and William Haggas after Sea Silk Road's victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

"They are winning good races, which is the thing," Haggas said.

"They're not winning rubbish races and that's the great bit about it."

Tom Marquand has ridden a host of Haggas's recent winners and said: "All you ever do is try to ride winners and when the horses are flying it feels all you're doing is riding winners. I know it doesn't last forever, but we're having a wonderful time.

"We've a beautiful bunch of horses and the amount of stakes winners we've had recently has been incredible. It's a testament to the stock William has in the yard and the job the team at home do."

Lawful Command (Louis Steward,red and blue quartered cap) beats Spinaround (Frankie Dettori) in the 1m handicapGoodwood 20.5.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Lawful Command (pale silks) edges clearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Law in charge

Stan Threadwell has racing in his blood, but a winner is something he never tires of and he was thrilled to see the Brian Meehan-trained Lawful Command strike in the mile handicap.

"I've had horses with Brian since the day he started training," explained Threadwell, who owns Lawful Command with Dennis Simmonds.

"I'm probably his oldest owner as my dad, also called Stan, was a Flat jockey and was good pals with Richard Hannon snr when Brian was there as an assistant.

"Dad rode 19 winners as an apprentice, but got too heavy and shot up so he went jumping and fell off twice, so said, 'That's it'."

Threadwell's nephew Louis Steward was aboard the winner and Meehan said: "I got my licence in November 1992 and Stan had already sent me a horse a month before that."

Royal Scotsman (Jim Crowley) wins the 6f EBF Novice StakesGoodwood 20.5.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Royal Scotsman produces a sparkling performance under Jim CrowleyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Coventry hope

Paul Cole knows a good juvenile when he sees one and Royal Scotsman is bound for the Coventry Stakes after his impressive success in the 6f novice.

The race was won by the following year's Derby hero Masar in 2017 and Royal Scotsman looks a bright prospect for owners Jim and Fitri Hay and Cole, now training in partnership with son Oliver.

Cole, who has won the Coventry at Royal Ascot three times and was champion trainer in 1991, said: "When I saw him at the sales I immediately thought, 'How am I going to engineer to get him'. Look at him, he's lovely – he knocked me out when I saw him.

"It never looked in any doubt today and the Coventry was the plan before he even ran; you know when you've got horses like him."

Results, replays and analysis


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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday


James BurnLambourn correspondent

Published on 20 May 2022inReports

Last updated 18:28, 20 May 2022

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