'Plenty of options' as one-time Derby hope Highest Ground bounces back

It has not been plain sailing for Highest Ground since sidestepping last year’s Derby but the classy colt had a welcome confidence boost when returning to winning ways in the 1m4f conditions stakes.

The Niarchos Family-owned four-year-old finished second in the Dante Stakes at York last year – run after the Derby in a rejigged race schedule due to the pandemic – but was well beaten in the Darley Stakes in October and on his return in the Gordon Richards Stakes in April.

This was very much back to basics for the dual novice winner, who stayed on best on his first try at the trip for a length victory over Outbox.

Watch: Highest Ground wins at Leicester

Highest Ground is entered in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday week, for which he was cut to 12-1 (from 16) with bet365 but drifted to 20-1 (from 16) with Sky Bet and William Hill. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt also has Group 1 entries in the Coral-Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and Arc.

Aurelien Bellei, representing the owners, said: “It’s nice to have Highest Ground back as he had really decent form last year and Ryan [Moore] was happy with him there.

Highest Ground: had been considered a contender for last year's DerbyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“He’s in the Hardwicke, which might be a quick turnaround, but we’ll see how he comes out of this and what Sir Michael wants to do as he has plenty of options.”

Baaeed turns on power

Hukum is one of the leading Hardwicke contenders and his brother Baaeed made a striking impression with a debut win in the mile maiden.

The William Haggas-trained three-year-old defied a slow start from a wide draw to power home by a length and a quarter.

Jockey Dane O'Neill said: "I hadn't ridden Baaeed at home but William likes him and the reports had been good. He gave me a really nice feel and is from a family that has done Shadwell proud."

Star shines

Eastern Star arrived at the track with the lowest official rating but left a winner after justifying support into 8-1 from an opening 33-1 in the 6f seller.

The Fruit Flow Partners-owned mare had a mammoth task at the weights but proved it’s not all about ratings with a first win by a length and a quarter under apprentice Mollie Phillips for her boss Tony Carroll.

Mollie Phillips: earned the fifth win of her career at Leicester on MondayCredit: Pool

Phillips, 20, said: “She started off at 33-1 yesterday and it looked a big ask, but someone was backing us! You never know whether she’ll put her best foot forward, but the ratings don’t mean everything and the good gallop really helped her.”

Crouch on fire

Hector Crouch rode his 11th winner from 34 rides for Ralph Beckett this season on 1m2f handicap scorer Surefire and boasts an impressive overall strike-rate of 31 per cent (18-58) for the Kimpton Down trainer.

Results, replays and analysis

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday