'It's a big deal' - double delight as Rhys Clutterbuck rides out claim

Friday: Haydock

Rhys Clutterbuck is hoping his association with one of racing's most distinguished families will help propel him to the next level after he rode out his claim on Sterling Knight.

Although his landmark success in the 6f handicap came for trainer Ed Dunlop, Clutterbuck has been with Gary Moore from a young age and was grateful for the top dual-purpose trainer's support in reaching 95 winners.

"It's a big deal and I'm with the professionals now. I've got to go up a step to prove myself without the three pounds," the 21-year-old said.

"I've been with Gary Moore since I was 14. He's played a massive part the whole way through, he watches every single race of mine and tells me if I've done something wrong and ways to improve. With his sons Ryan, Josh and Jamie, it's good for me to have those role models in the yard.

Sterling Knight: landmark winner for Rhys ClutterbuckCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I've had an amazing season with 44 winners this year — not a lot of professionals have got that — and I'm looking to keep my head down through the winter on the all-weather and keep riding winners," he added.

Clutterbuck secured his third success of the season on the Paul Turner-owned Sterling Knight, following up victories at Ascot in May and here just three weeks ago.

The stewards held an inquiry after the three-year-old caused two incidents of interference with third-placed Sky Blue Pink before confirming the places remained unchanged.

"It's nice to lose the claim on such a nice horse," Clutterbuck said. "We played the same cards as last time here and although the ground is a bit softer today, he's absolutely thrived on it.

"When he hit the front, he idled around and waited for something to come upsides him again. He has a tendency to do that, but he's done it well."

Clutterbuck soon rode his 45th winner of the year by registering a double for Dunlop when Queen's Eyot bolted up by four lengths in the 7f nursery.

Dunlop's travelling head lad Robin Trevor-Jones said: "It's great for Rhys, he's ridden well for us all year and got us quite a few winners. It takes some doing and he deserves a pat on the back."

Saxon King: pulls clear to win the mile novice under Tom MarquandCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Magic Marquand

On the Flat season finale here, victory on Saxon King in the mile novice made Tom Marquand the leading jockey of the season at Haydock.

It was tough work for the Charlie Hills-trained two-year-old on heavy ground, but the 11-8 favourite showed a willing attitude to hand Marquand his eighth course win in 2022.

"He bounced out and bowled along in front and although I thought I was a bit vulnerable at the furlong pole, he was tough," the jockey said. "He got away with the deep ground and he stuck his head out for me."

Win number nine for Marquand came in the very next race when Al Mubhir was a clear-cut winner of the mile handicap for William Haggas, who finished the season as Haydock's leading trainer.

Not for passing

Navajo Pass, winner of the Grade 2 Champion Hurdle Trial here in 2021 when beating Buveur D'Air, made a mockery of his rating of 83 on his first Flat run for three years to win the 2m handicap by nine and a half lengths for trainer Donald McCain and jockey Graham Lee.

Results, replays and analysis

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