'He's as good a two-year-old as I've ever sat on' - Knockhill shines for Egan

Sunday: Sandown

Knockhill's debut win may have come as a surprise to punters but not to John Egan, who hailed the colt as one of the most exiting juveniles of his career following the 33-1 success.

The Kevin Philippart de Foy-trained two-year-old claimed the newcomers' maiden stakes by a neck under Egan, who was full of praise for the colt he purchased in April.

Egan said. "I've been so excited about him all along, and then he did a little piece of work alongside Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal, who came to me for a month.

"I was working them together one morning and I told my partner to stay ten lengths off while I let Hoo Ya Mal go, and she came to my quarters and was only doing a half speed. For that to just happen with a two-year-old who had done nothing, I thought wow, this is very good."

The son of Decorated Knight is part-owned by Harry Redknapp alongside Orbital Racing Group but is also an integral part of the Egan family, although the jockey was quick to defer to the absent De Foy regarding future plans.

He said: "I'll have a chat with Kevin when I get home and see what's next, but he's as good a two-year-old as I've ever sat on, and I've ridden a lot of good ones.

"He's one of the family, my partner rides him out every day and my little boy is in the box with him giving him carrots.

"When I bought him, I tried to get my friend from Bahrain to buy him. I told him I had a good one and they didn't take him. I'll have to remind him of that."

Mokaatil magic

While one owner of Mokaatil opted for Sunday football over a trip to Sandown, Colin Mander's loyalty to his runner was rewarded after the outsider landed the sprint handicap.

The Ian Williams-trained 22-1 shot was last of 12 on his previous start, but thrived on a return to 5f to power home by three-quarters of a length on the final day of the Sky Bet Sunday Series.

"My partner is not here today, he's decided to watch the football instead, which is his loss and my gain," Mander said. "We knew Mokaatil would enjoy the uphill finish and, as soon as he got out, me and Ian knew he had a chance. He's not even blowing after the race."

Black-type bound

A lengthy stewards' inquiry fell in favour of trainer Alice Haynes after her New Hope Bullet was promoted to first in the opening nursery following interference with first-past-the-post Safari Dream.

New Hope Bullet will now look to add black type to her name after defying a 6lb rise for a recent success at Chelmsford.

Haynes said: "I thought we were very unlucky, and watching it back I can see she was intimidated. She took forever to get back going and we were unlucky on the line."

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