Group winner Mattmu lands Great St Wilfrid on first handicap run

It's a punter's dream backing a horse considered to be Group-class when it runs runs in a handicap. Usually it is a young horse running in handicaps prior to going into Group company, but the five-year-old Mattmu was a different kettle of fish. Already a dual Group winner, he was running in a handicap for the first time and belied his 25-1 starting price to land the £75,000 William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap in good style under David Allan.

This wasn't the original plan, as he was retired to stud at the end of last season, but after receiving no patronage he resumed his duties on the racecourse. He made an inauspicious return when finishing a well-beaten last of four at Doncaster this month, but that turned out to be a temporary blip for a horse who has kept some illustrious company during his career.

He bounced back in great style here, making all the running up the far side to beat Pipers Note by three-quarters of a length with third-placed Shanghai Glory first home of those who raced on the stands side.