'He's a Guineas horse and that's what we'll be training him for' - Bow Echo beats the highly touted Publish in Ascendant

Bow Echo usurped Publish as favourite before the Listed Ascendant Stakes and then did likewise on the track to put down a marker for next year's 2,000 Guineas.

The George Boughey-trained winner justified the strong market support which moved his price to 5-6 (from 15-8) with an impressive late surge to deny Publish, who had been the even-money market-leader before returning 11-4.

Mounting their challenges at opposite sides of the tracks, the promising juveniles came close together entering the final furlong, at which point Publish appeared to be coming with a winning run.

However, Bow Echo, in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, came alive again for the company to find another gear and go on to win by a length under Billy Loughnane.

Speaking away from the track, Boughey said: "He's a lovely horse who has shown plenty of ability at home, but he's possibly still quite raw.

"It looked like Publish was coming to win the race, but our horse was waiting for him and outbattled him in the end."

Bow Echo returns to the winner's enclosure under Billy LoughnaneCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Bow Echo's Guineas odds shortened at the same time as his Ascendant price – from 16-1 to 25-1 – and after the race Paddy Power went 12-1 for the Newmarket Classic next May.

On future plans, Boughey said: "I think we'll just see how he comes out of the race. He's very much a horse for next year. Maybe we could step him up in class again this year, but I'd be quite happy to wait and run him in a Guineas trial next spring.

"He has plenty of pace, he's a Guineas horse and that's what we'll be training him for."

Publish's jockey, William Buick, said: "He ran a very good race and I expect him to improve plenty. He's quite a big, tall horse who's going to improve with time. He's a lovely horse in the making."

Profitable day

William Haggas saddled a valuable double on the card, highlighted by a one-two in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup after The Reverend led home Dramatic Star in the historic handicap.

Owned by Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, The Reverend had shown his best form on a more testing surface, but he bounded clear on the good ground to reward those who had backed him into 7-2 favourite.

The Reverend (near side) edges out stablemate Dramatic StarCredit: GROSSICK RACING 07710461723

"I thought he wanted softer ground, but he was in really good form and went to post beautifully and was full of zest," said Haggas. "We haven't run him over a mile-six much before and he came off the bit two out, but he ran right to the line. 

"He's in at Leopardstown on [Irish] Champions Weekend and we'll see. He's quite likely to go to Willie Mullins at the end of the year. I'm sorry the other horse [Dramatic Star] got beaten, but he ran a good race and just had a look in front."

Haggas scooped the other £100,000 handicap – for three-year-olds over 1m6f – when Saffie Osborne rode her first winner for the trainer aboard Valiancy.

Sky's the limit for Zeus

Going from a Thirsk novice to a Group 3 is a big step up but Zeus Olympios made it look a breeze with a commanding victory in the Superior Mile.

The three-year-old colt belied his inexperience to extend his unbeaten record to three when providing trainer Karl Burke and jockey William Buick with back-to-back wins in the Betfair-sponsored contest.

"I thought it was a very good performance," said Burke. "He has a great mind and took everything in his stride. William said as soon as he jumped and went a furlong, he knew he was sat on a good horse. 

"I was a bit worried whether I was doing the right thing dropping him into this grade, but there's a lack of black-type races over this trip."

The trainer was keen to keep a lid on any excitement surrounding the strapping son of Night Of Thunder – at least for now. 

"He's only going to improve," Burke added. "I'll speak to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, but I don't really want to throw him in too deep this time round. Next year will be his year."

Read this next . . .

Andrew Balding reveals Kalpana no longer a certain runner in the Arc after shock odds-on defeat at Kempton 

Big Mojo latest to spring another sprint surprise with 16-1 success under William Buick  

Is Kalpana a busted flush for the Arc or would you still back her? 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.