Layers given a lashing as Khaadem blows away rivals in Stewards' Cup

Bookmakers took little chance with 1-4 Battaash in the King George Stakes on Friday, but another Charlie Hills sprinter gave layers a lashing when 4-1 favourite Khaadem kicked clear in impressive fashion to win the Unibet Stewards' Cup and complete a fine week for the trainer.

It was one that did not get off to the best of starts when Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain faded in the Sussex Stakes, but Hills was beaming from ear to ear after seeing Khaadem – a horse he has always adored – strike in one of the summer's biggest Flat handicaps.

A three-year-old rated 107, the son of Dark Angel went into the 6f contest with plenty of upside, but things are never that simple when 27 riders are vying for their slice of a £250,000 pot.

One of those riders was Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained jockey Jim Crowley, who did not appear to have any concern aboard the well-backed winner – available at 16-1 this time last week.

His audition as a Group horse in a handicap went smoothly, but it was a performance that Paddy Power reckoned cost them six figures, while the Stewards' Cup sponsors said it was a terrible result.

More bookie-bashing could come in Haydock's 32Red Sprint Cup, for which Khaadem was cut to 10-1 (from 20) by Paddy Power.

Khaadem has been cut for the Sprint Cup at Haydock after his Stewards' Cup successCredit: Mike Hewitt (Getty Images)

Hills, a Stewards' Cup winner with Magical Memory in 2015, said: "He looked a Group horse in a handicap there – he really impressed me today. There was a moment when it looked like he might not get a run up the rail, but he impressed with how he behaved.

"Racing has made him better and he's growing up. Hopefully we've got a good future with this horse and we'll aim for Haydock.

"That's a high mark for a three-year-old to win this off and we've got to go for those top races with him."

Hills has also enjoyed winners at the meeting with Vividly on Thursday and Persuasion immediately following Khaadem's triumph, and added: "I think Khaadem could end up a really top-notch horse. He's a beautiful horse and has a good temperament.

"He was so lethargic in the Commonwealth Cup when I really fancied him but we've put that behind us now."

Crowley is also sure Khaadem is Group performer and said: "Charlie wanted to run him in this race and fair play, it paid off.

"We had a perfect run and there was always going to be a good pace. I got a nice tow into the race. Charlie has always held him in high regard. He's got a beautiful pedigree and hopefully we can make him a Group 1 winner.

"It was a big ask for him to come today, a big field for an inexperienced horse, but it will stand him in good stead."

Hills was not standing, almost floating.

"I'd have taken this at the start of the week!" he added.

"Phoenix was disappointing, but he'll be fine and will have his day again, while Battaash was brilliant and so was that. It's been a great week."

From Stewards' Cup to Group 1 contests

Lochsong (1992)
Lochsong won the Stewards' Cup in 1992, the first major win in what was a very impressive career. The filly went on to win two Prix de l'Abbayes, a Nunthorpe and a King’s Stand and was subsequently named Cartier horse of the year in 1993.

Patavellian (2003)
After winning the Stewards' Cup at 4-1 in 2003, Patavellian made the immediate step up to Group 1 level in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp. He backed up his impressive Stewards' Cup performance by winning the French sprinting showpiece at 9-1 but failed to win a Group 1 thereafter.

Borderlescott wins the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in 2009Credit: Edward Whitaker

Borderlescott (2006)
Having won the Stewards' Cup in 2006 by a neck, Borderlescott made a gradual transition into Group company and did not run at Group 1 level until the following season. His top-level debut was underwhelming, finishing eighth in the Golden Jubilee Stakes before a seventh in the July Cup. He then went on to win back-to-back Nunthorpes in 2008 and 2009 in a lengthy career before retiring at the age of 13.

Hoof It (2011)
Following Stewards' Cup glory in 2011, Hoof It went straight into Group 1 company, finishing sixth in the Nunthorpe and a close third in the Sprint Cup. He had several more attempts at the top level but never claimed a scalp, finishing third in the Sprint Cup again two years later.

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