Anmaat (11-4) ran out an impressive winner of the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock Park.
Under Jim Crowley, Owen Burrows’ improving four-year-old grabbed a first victory at Group Three level in the feature on Merseyside. And with his rapid progress he could be aimed at Group One contests before the season is out
The Awtaad gelding followed up an excellent success in the John Smith’s Cup Handicap at York by scoring at Pattern level, comfortably beating the warm 11-8 favourite Grocer Jack in the process.
The four-year-old, who had also finished a fine second in the Cambridgeshire on his final start last season, was always travelling supremely well for Crowley in the pack as the hat-trick-seeking Peter The Great led early on. The challengers arrived after the turn for home in the 1m2f contest with Willie Haggas' favourite Grocer Jack making a move. But Crowley was motionless on Anmaat and easily moved to the front before galloping on for a four-length victory. Certain Lad (25-1) was a further length and a half back in third.
Trainer Burrows said: "It a massive (step forward). It was a really good performance to win at York first time out. Credit to all my team. He has pleased me since and obviously this was a natural progression. He was rated 109 today and he will probably be a bit more after that.
"What suprised me was how far he has travelled on the bridle. He is obviously really improving and he has maybe surprised us how quickly he has improved."
The likes of the Irish Champion Stakes and Champion Stakes at Ascot in the next two months could be on the agenda. Anmaat would have to be supplemented for the former at Leopardstown next month. But Burrows will take his time before pitching his rising star in at the top level.
He said: "We don't know where he will go, not after that. We wanted to get today out of the way and then see where we were. He was stepping out of handicap company for the first time.
"I know it was quick at York but Jim (Crowley) said that little juice in the ground suited him. We could possibly look at that (the Irish Champions Stakes), but it is great discussions to have. We will see how he comes out of it and we'll make a plan in a week's time. A few discussions to ahve with Shiekha Hissa."
Winning jockey Crowley added: "He loved getting his toe in a little bit more. He has clearly improved from York and he is very exciting. It was a good race. Plenty of strength in depth to it.
"For sure (he can step up again). I was amazed how well he travelled into the race. And it was very nice."
Marco Botti's Rising Star (13-2) won the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Dick Hern Stakes, under Andrea Atzeni.
The four-year-old daughter of Fast Company had sprung a 40-1 shock in the Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, under Neil Callan. She had disappointed slightly when fourth in a Listed event at Pontefract last month.
But she ran out a game winner of the mile contest, coming through to score by a half-a-length from Random Harvest (11-1), with Crenelle (5-2) a neck back in third. The 9-4 favourite and recent Glorious Goodwood winner Oscula was another half-a-length back in fourth.
Atzeni said: "I thought I would only be about fourth at one point, but she finished well.
"It was dead ground and she is a top of the ground filly really. It is great for the owners. She was a Royal Ascot winner which was great. And to win again today is great.
"I rode this filly first time out and I actually pulled her up in the race, I thought she had gone wrong and I haven't sat on her since then. So it's great."
