Speedy Jag books Nunthorpe ticket

Fayr Jag could drop back to the minimum distance for another crack at the VC Bet Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month after his battling display won him the Stan James Hackwood Stakes at Newbury today.

The talented sprinter, who took top honours in the Golden Jubilee in 2004, has been unplaced in the Nunthorpe for the last two years but bounced back to form with his first success since his Royal Ascot victory at Newcastle three weeks ago.

The seven-year-old was then below form when failing to take advantage of his favourable high draw in the Darley July Cup but looked as good as ever when taking this Group Three event.

Tim Easterby’s charge was surprisingly unaffected by the deluge of rain before racing and the fast-ground specialist coped well with the conditions, which were changed to good to soft midway through the afternoon.

The vicious thunderstorm saw him ignored in the ring and having drifted from 14-1 to 16-1 before the off of the six-furlong event he defied the negative market vibes when getting up by a neck in the hands of David Allan.

The gelding quickened in good style from the middle of the pack to hold the late thrust of Kodiac (25-1) with Tawaassol (5-1) a short-head third in a bunched finish.

Allan told Channel 4 Racing: “I don’t really know what happened in the July Cup – he jumped the stalls and probably ran a bit free.

“He settled a lot better today and I did think our chance had gone with the rain but he is maybe changing his preference as he gets older.”

His owner Jonathan Gill added: “He has plenty of speed and as he gets older we think he might prefer five furlongs so he might drop back in trip and he is in the Nunthorpe.”

Salinja (18-1) produced another upset when providing champion jockey elect Ryan Moore another winner in the ladbrokes.com Stakes.

A horse proven to be at his best with cut in the ground, the four-year-old swept into the lead inside the final furlong having been behind early.

Moore drove his mount out towards the stands rail to hold the determined challenge of Audience (13-2) by a neck with 4-1 favourite Capable Guest a short-head back in third in another nail-biting conclusion.

Winning trainer Amanda Perrett was represented by her husband Mark, who said: “I was worried that the ground would be too firm and if it had been like it was on Friday I might have taken him out.

“He is a big, strapping horse and he is now starting to fill his frame and strengthen up. “Win, lose or draw the plan was to take him for a 10-furlong handicap at Goodwood and that is where he will go.”

Moore went on to complete a 65 double when King Edward VII Stakes fifth Tam Lin (5-2) ground out a head success from Windsor Knot in the David Wilson Homes Steventon Stakes over 10 furlongs.

Bruce Raymond, representing owners Gainsborough Stud, said: “The ground was probably too quick for him at Ascot and it was a Group Two race over a longer trip.

“This is his distance and we were hopeful he would win, especially after the rain. He is well entered but we won’t be too tough on him for this year.”

Thousand Words (15-8) received lavish praise from Barry Hills after mowing down the well-backed 5-4 favourite Drumfire in the Trailfinders Conditions Stakes. Richard Hughes was still travelling powerfully in behind the market leader entering the closing stages and his mount strode out with purpose to get on top in the shadow of the post for a neck success.

“He is a nice horse with plenty of scope and he should improve,” said Hills. “The loose ground did not help but he picked up well and he will be better in a better race with a faster pace.

“The horses aren’t running brilliant at the moment but when they are this fellow will be even better. “He will only run a couple of more times this year and I will look at the Acomb and the Champagne Stakes.”

Blue Square introduced the first two home at 33-1 for the Stan James 2000 Guineas while the sponsors and William Hill both went 25s about the winner.

Like Moore, Hughes completed a 16-1 double on the six-race card when taking the concluding Sporting Index Handicap aboard 5-1 chance.