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St Leger Festival: Noble Truth back to winning ways for Charlie Appleby in Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster

Noble Truth bounces back from Acomb Stakes disappointment to land Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster; Charlie Appleby's two-year-old just holds off late charge from Hoo Ya Mal; watch Cazoo St Leger day live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday from 12.30pm

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William Buick was delighted to see Charlie Appleby's Noble Truth outbattle Hoo Ya Mal to win the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster, bouncing back from a poor run in the Acomb Stakes

Noble Truth put an under-par run behind him to get back on track in game fashion in the Cazoo Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt had looked a bright prospect when getting off the mark at Newmarket on his second start, only to blot his copy book when fourth behind Royal Patronage in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York last month.

The Godolphin-owned runner showed that form to be wrong with a battling success over Hoo Ya Mal in this Listed contest over seven furlongs.

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St Leger live on Sky Sports Racing

Watch every race of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster live on Sky Sports Racing from September 8-11

Hoo Ya Mal looked like getting up, but Noble Truth (9-1) rallied to deny the 2-1 favourite by a nose. Gwan So was a length and a quarter away in third.

"He obviously won nicely at Newmarket and disappointed the last day for no apparent reason," said Appleby's assistant, Alex Merriam.

"He settled nicely today and we're pleased with him.

"I've had a quick chat with Charlie. There are no immediate plans, but we'll stick to seven furlongs at the minute and just see where we go when we get home."

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William Buick is all smiles after winning on Noble Trush at Doncaster
Image: Buick is all smiles after winning on Noble Trush at Doncaster

Thunder Max gave Richard Hannon a pleasant surprise when making a winning debut in the Coopers Marquees Maiden Stakes.

By the trainer's 2014 2000 Guineas hero Night Of Thunder, Thunder Max (16-1) knuckled down for Rossa Ryan to outpoint the more experienced Leuven Power by a neck. Unilateralism was a neck away in third place.

"He's always been a lovely colt and he was coming here for a run. He's not shown anything at home but quite often the nice horses do that," said Hannon.

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"He's wanted the trip and he'll improve massively. I'm very happy.

"There are some lovely races in the autumn - there's the Autumn Stakes, the Horris Hill. I'm just delighted he's done that. I'd hoped he'd be a nice horse but I didn't know. He's not a flashy horse at home, but he's by Night Of Thunder and anything is possible by that stallion."

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