'What a horse!' - Quickthorn toughs it out for Henry II Stakes success

Thursday: Sandown

Tom Marquand took matters into his own hands when making all the running to land the Group 3 Coral Henry II Stakes aboard Quickthorn.

Instructed to take a prominent position behind the leader by trainer Hughie Morrison, Marquand instead kept Quickthorn wide of his rivals in the early stages before heading them off at the first bend. It was foot down from there, with Marquand setting a strong gallop that gradually had his rivals toiling in behind.

Runner-up Nate The Great was the only one who managed to bridge the gap but Quickthorn kept finding more and his rivals were getting no closer at the line.

"I haven't really discussed the ride with the jockey," said Morrison. "The idea was to go forward and probably follow one but he found himself in front and was enjoying it.

"I wasn't enjoying any second of it but it was a great effort. What a horse!"

Quickthorn is not entered in the Gold Cup and Morrison is looking at an autumn campaign.

He added: "The ground was quick enough for him today, so the autumn is his life really and, on that performance, he's worth going to the top level again."

Maria Branwell edges out Crispy Cat in the National StakesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Next stop Ascot

Maria Branwell appears to be bound for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot after maintaining her unbeaten record in the Listed Coral National Stakes.

The David O'Meara-trained filly took a big step forward from her maiden win at Thirsk, striking from off the pace under Danny Tudhope as she cut favourite Crispy Cat down to size in the final half-furlong.

"She was up against the boys today and she's taken a nice step forward," said Tudhope. "She gave me a nice feel, has a great attitude, good temperament and she's a very likeable filly.

"The way she did her best work in the last furlong probably shows you she'll get six furlongs."

Curiously, among the winning Bronte Collection syndicate who own the filly was Bedfordshire trainer Mike Murphy, who as well as training for the winning owners has a share in Maria Branwell.

"The Bronte Collection is a group of Steve Parkin's mates," revealed Murphy. "The genesis of it was the Champions Weekend last year when Steve said he was going to put together this group of friends. There's 15 or 20 horses and we train one of them."

Asked if it was Royal Ascot next, Murphy said: "According to Danny, yes, but let's leave it to the trainer."

Results, replays and analysis

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