Royal Millennium, an excellent fourth in Group One company last time out, appreciated the drop in class to gain a well-deserved victory in the Ballygallon Stud Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh today.

IT would be an exaggeration to say that this weekend is make-or-break for the Aidan O’Brien-Jamie Spencer combination, but the importance of Haydock and the Curragh should, nevertheless, not be underestimated.

BRYAN SMART is hoping the sun does not shine too much at Haydock this week as he prepares Monsieur Bond for a crack at the Stanleybet Sprint Cup.

Mick Kinane will be the new partner of Somnus in this Saturday’s Stanleybet Sprint Cup at Haydock Park.

Sprint king David Nicholls landed the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes with 16-1 shot Bahamian Pirate at York today.