Mackay leaves it late

Nicky Mackay gave the 12-strong Master Singers partnership a scare as he left it late to land the Free Archive Video Form On attheraces.com Classified Stakes on Irish Ballad.

The owners had backed the lightly-raced 7-2 chance to a man, with trainer Walter Swinburn believing the 12-furlong trip was right up his street.

But Mackay’s mount took his time to get going as Sovereign Dreamer set a furious pace, and at the furlong pole he still had three lengths to make up on the 13-8 favourite.

However, his exertions paid off as he got up to nail the long-time leader and record a length victory.

“I thought I was always going to get there, but the line took forever to come,” said Mackay, who came in for high praise from syndicate manager Peter Mason.

“Nicky gave him a lovely ride,” said Mason. “He was tremendously patient, waiting and waiting, but we know this horse’s stamina is his forte. Stepping him up to a mile and a half helped and he acts on this firm ground.”

The winner came in bleedig profusely from his near-hind, but Mason said: “The injury is probably only a superficial cut just above the hoof. He may have struck into himself.”