Haydock Saturday

ROYAL Dubai (Callum Rodriguez) has blossomed since joining Owen Burrows in July, winning the Listed Steventon Stakes at Newbury and doubling his tally for his new trainer with a game success in the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.

The five-year-old entire had to wait for a gap to appear but quickened well when getting room to beat Military Order (Charlie Appleby/Tom Marquand) by a neck to the delight of those who backed him into 9/4 joint-favourite.

The winner was cementing a fruitful partnership between trainer and rider, with Rodriguez successful on a remarkable 8 of 14 rides for the Lambourn Woodlands handler in recent seasons. The rider, who grew up locally, also recorded the 500th winner of his career at Haydock last Friday aboard Crown’s Lady for Ed Bethell.

Of the game winner, Rodriguez said: “I was worried we wouldn’t get the gaps, but he was all there for me when I needed him. When he got out, he was very determined to the line.”

The Listed Dick Hern Stakes for fillies went the way of Suite Francaise (Charlie Johnston/Jo Fanning), with the 15/2 chance making all for a two-length win over Never Let Go (Ed Walker/Kieran Shoemark) in the mile contest.

LONDON & The South delivered a decisive blow to its Racing League rivals as the second half of the competition started at Windsor.

The team managed by Matt Chapman began the evening in second place, 16 points behind The East, but now finds itself 95 points clear with an overall total of 581.

London & The South had two successes on the card, with the Charlie Hills-trained Kodi Fire completing a three-timer and Daniel & Claire Kubler’s Siempre Arturo leading home a one-two.

In addition to the winners, London & The South had eight other runners finish in the first five as the team collected 202 points on the night.

Racing League standings after night four: