'The ones we've got have plenty of ability' - Burrows upbeat despite numbers dip

The most impressive display of the meeting came, arguably, from Anmaat, who was a comfortable winner of the 1m2f handicap under Jim Crowley.

He was saddled by Owen Burrows, private trainer to the late Hamdan Al Maktoum, whose daughter Sheikha Hissa will continue the family's Shadwell operation.

"I've said before we're a bit down on horses, but what we have got have been running well and long may it continue," said Burrows, whose Danyah won Ascot's International Stakes recently and who is set to welcome back Minzaal and Albasheer – classy juveniles last season – this month.

"Anmaat has won that very well and has sort of got back on track because I thought he'd be the type to progress."

The trainer's string has dipped to just below 50 and Burrows went on: "We sold about a dozen or so at the sales and, to be truthful, even in a normal year they would have gone because they weren't up to scratch.

"The ones we've got have plenty of ability and we've an even split between older horses and two-year-olds, and I haven't ran many juveniles so there are plenty of them to get out in the coming months.

"Thankfully, we've got a few nice horses to keep our name up there."

Prop Forward is an easy winner for Jeff Smith and Clive CoxCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Prop a first

Prop Forward, who landed the 5½f maiden, was an apt winner on the eve of the British and Irish Lions' crunch third Test against South Africa on Saturday and was also trainer Clive Cox's first for leading owner-breeder Jeff Smith.

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