Society Rocks at Haydock

Society Rock lifted the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock for James Fanshawe and Kieren Fallon this afternoon.

The five-year-old travelled strongly off what looked just a moderate pace and got a nice run up the rail as Fallon started to get to work inside the two-furlong pole.

Hitting the front a furlong out, the 10-1 chance ran on well to hold the challenge of Irish raider Gordon Lord Byron by three-quarters of a length, with the well-backed Bated Breath third.

Australian mare Ortensia raced much handier than when winning the Nunthorpe at York but could never get in a serious blow.

Fallon said: "He travelled really well and I got all the splits down the rail that I needed.

"He's a little terrier and he tries very hard, which is what you need in this type of race.

"I followed James (Doyle, on Bated Breath) through as I thought he was the horse I had to beat, he gave me a lovely lead through and I was able to pick up on that fast ground."

Fanshawe said: "It's been a real team effort, I just felt he was a very underrated horse.

"We've been really working on him in the stalls since the July Cup and it's paid off today.

"I haven't had a winner at Haydock in about three years, and I thought with the ground a bit quick and the stalls that we had no chance.

"I'm chuffed for the horse, the owner and the yard."