HELLO Youmzain inflicted a shock defeat on red-hot favourite Calyx in the Group 2 Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
On the back of what was a brilliant return to action at Ascot at the beginning of the month, the John Gosden-trained Calyx was unsurprisingly all the rage for the six-furlong contest against three rivals.
Sent off the 2/13 favourite, Robert Havlin – deputising for Frankie Dettori, who was in Ireland to ride Too Darn Hot – appeared to have matters in control after initially getting a bump on leaving the stalls.
The previously unbeaten Khalid Abdullah-owned three-year-old loomed large two furlongs out, as Royal Intervention gave way, but did drift to his left when asked a question and it quickly became apparent he had a fight on his hands.
In contrast Kevin Ryan’s Hello Youmzain strode on relentlessly and in the end won going away, by three and quarters lengths.
Huge shock! Hello Youmzain denies 2-13F Calyx in the Sandy Lane for Kevin Stott and @kevinryanracing at @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/bNGk8rVziq
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2019
Adam Ryan, assistant to his father, said: “At the end of the day, we can’t be afraid of one horse. It would be too soon to write (Calyx) off – but we’re just delighted with ours.
“We had to try the Greenham, to see if he stayed – you only get one crack at these classics. It was pretty clear he didn’t (stay), so this was the next logical step.
“He’s won two Group 2s now – all he’s going to do is keep improving. He’s been like that since day one – the more racing he gets, the more he’s going to mature. We hope there’s plenty to come.
“He’s still learning the game. He’s in that (Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot) – it’s the logical step.
“Let’s enjoy today, we’ll have a chat with the owners and everyone involved.
“We’re lucky to have an owner like Mr Jaber Abdullah, and I’m delighted for (jockey) Kevin (Stott) as well, he puts a lot of hard work in. For a young lad to get on a nice horse, that’s important as well.”
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