'Naughty boy' Hamish the perfect tonic for Maureen Haggas after broken neck

Saturday: Ascot

Maureen Haggas, who broke two bones in her neck following a gallops fall in August, revealed she was still a little stiff, but Hamish's victory in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes was a fine tonic.

"I love him," said Haggas, whose husband William trains the mud-loving six-year-old for his father Brian.

"I've ridden him since he was a three-year-old and he was a bit of a naughty boy back then. I've ridden him most of the time since, although Andrew Tinkler is riding him at home now as I'm on the sidelines.

"Andrew rides him in a lot of his work, so we share him because he's quite annoying and not many other people like him.

"He's such a character and is a lovely ride – sometimes! He's a beautiful, athletic mover and he'll have to hang about for a bit because I should be back riding him in November."

Pat Dobbs did the steering in the race, taking his record to six winners from 22 rides for Haggas.

"It's a good yard to ride for and he was the best horse in the race, but William warned me not to get there too soon," he said.

Rohaan bursts through to win in styleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Family affair

The easy ground meant Diligent Harry came out of the Bengough Stakes but Adam Kirby had few complaints as he switched to course specialist Rohaan, who relished the conditions.

Trained by David Evans, the father of Kirby's partner Megan, Rohaan now possesses Ascot form figures of 11011, which includes the last two Wokinghams.

"I'm delighted with the horse and I'm also chuffed for Dave, who is a top man and this horse is like a child to him – he rides him out every day," the jockey said.

"Dave's gutted he can't be here today, but he's got other things on. It's nice to get the ride on him and it's special to get a decent winner for Dave as he's practically my father-in-law."

Andrea Atzeni is in total control on EscobarCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Ace Atzeni

Andrea Atzeni, no longer the retained rider for prominent owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, does not feel he has anything to prove but produced a timely reminder of his talents by guiding Escobar to victory in the £180,000 Challenge Cup.

News emerged this week that the pair's eight-year relationship was ending and it was Neil Callan who struck in the owner's yellow colours on Fonteyn in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket about an hour before Escobar's win.

Atzeni, also replaced on Rohaan when Adam Kirby became available, said: "Did I need that? I need them all. Every winner feels good and it doesn't matter what happens somewhere else.

"My job is to ride horses and ride winners and that's what I'll be doing from now on."

Stevie Donohoe guides Manaccan to victoryCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Gooner glory

Arsenal fan John Ryan already had a grin on his face given how the north London derby with Tottenham was going and it grew even broader after Manaccan landed the Listed Rous Stakes.

Still on crutches following a knee operation in the summer, Ryan trains the classy three-year-old for Graham Smith-Bernal of Newsells Park Stud, who was at the match with Spurs legend Ossie Ardiles.

"Graham is a Tottenham supporter and he's brought Ossie in to open up the stud to more people," said Ryan.

"I've just spoken to them at the game and, luckily for me, Arsenal have just made it 3-1."

From a family steeped in the sport, the Newmarket-based Gooner started training in 2005.

He added: "I'm a small trainer who plods along with 18 horses and to get a flagship horse is superb, and hugely important. I've had Group 2 and Group 3 winners, and plenty at Listed level, but I think this fella could be one of the best I've trained."

Results, replays and analysis

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