Robert Havlin bounces back from Lingfield controversy with victory on Side Shot

Robert Havlin signalled his intention to put his controversial ride at Lingfield on Wednesday behind him by winning the 1m2f handicap on Side Shot.

As he had done the previous evening at Chelmsford, Havlin struck on his only ride of the day as the John and Thady Gosden-trained son of Frankel continued his progress with a decisive success.

"He wants a galloping track and is always best going left-handed," the jockey said. "He used to be really keen but he's settling a lot better now and will probably stay a mile and a half."

Earlier in the day, Havlin decided not to appeal against the 21-day ban issued by the Lingfield stewards for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing on 16-1 shot Stowell, who finished a head second to odds-on stablemate Polling Day.

"I thought it was best to put a line under it and move on," said Havlin, who will be out of action on May 5-8 and 10-26.

"There were a few avenues we could have gone down, but I went through the appeal process last year and didn't want to drag it on for the next week. I've not had a day off in 18 months and I'll take some time off and spend it with the kids."

Reflecting on the Lingfield race, he added: "That's racing. My lad didn't go much quicker up the straight and Frankie's mount [Polling Day] really stopped and it turns out he is lame now, and that's why he stopped. At one point I was going to be a two or three length second and the next minute I was on top of him."

No stopping Stott

Kevin Stott enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2020 and continued his fast start to this campaign with a double on Seven Brothers and Ben Lilly.

Stott has seen demand for his services increase following his first Group 1 success on Hello Youmzain in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes last summer.

"Ascot helped me to get on the road to better things and this year I want to do bigger and better things," he said. "I'm picking up a lot of rides for other trainers, which is definitely helping a lot."

An emotional Kevin Stott after riding Hello Youmzain to win the Diamond Jubilee StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stott was impressed by the attitude of Kevin Ryan-trained Seven Brothers, who knuckled down well to fend off favourite Popmaster in the 6f handicap for three-year-olds on his first start since last season's Gimcrack.

"We liked this horse a lot after his first two wins last year," he said. "We put him away after the Gimcrack and he's grown up physically and mentally. He was a bit gassy early on but when I got stuck into him he really wanted it. He's got plenty of speed and I think he'll definitely go forward from this run."

Age no obstacle

Veteran sprinter Secretinthepark showed his powers are not on the wane after justifying jockey Josephine Gordon's confidence in the 5f handicap.

The Michael Mullineaux-trained 11-year-old edged out the hat-trick seeking Autumn Flight, who is six years his younger, by a head to build on the promise of his comeback fourth at Newmarket ten days earlier.

"I'm not normally confident but I fancied him today," said Gordon. "He ran a very good race last week and he wants this quick ground. He knows more about racing than we all do at his age and he's still got his speed."

Autumn Flight's rider Rhys Clutterbuck was suspended for two days (May 7-8) for using his whip in the incorrect place on the run to the line.

Results, replays and analysis

Members can click here to download the digital newspaper every evening from 9pm. Not a member? Click here to sign up and enjoy the digital newspaper every day.