Mayson storms the Palace

Mayson: A most progressive performer

Richard Fahey's progressive Mayson won the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes at Newmarket.

An impressive winner of the Abernant Stakes on his seasonal reappearance over six furlongs at this track, the four year old was sent off a well backed favourite as a result.

His supporters never had a moment's cause for concern in this Group Three contest despite dropping back a furlong in trip.

The Invincible Spirit colt saw enough daylight racing on the outside of the 16 strong field but in the middle of the track and could always be seen moving well just in behind the pace.

He picked up well when asked and ran on strongly for pressure to record a first success at this level, readily holding the challenge of the easy to back Definightly and Elusivity by three parts of a length and a head.

Delighted Trainer

A delighted winning trainer said: "I was a bit worried about the ground for him but he's relaxing better. That's the bare minimum for him and he's definitely better at six. He goes to the Duke Of York now, all roads lead there, and we'll put him in the July Cup on Tuesday.

"I'm so pleased for the owners. They lost the dam when this fellow was born and he's always been a special horse for them. They hand-reared him."

However the pain of a previous defeat is still there for the trainer.

"I still can't work out how he didn't win the Ayr Gold Cup. I fancied him off a mark of 98. I thought he was a certainty but I probably should have run him in-between as he was too fresh and it all went pear-shaped. It was one of those best-laid plans that always go wrong," he added.