Arthurian

Arthurian kept on well to finish third behind First Law and Rocket Boy in the Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock on Saturday. Settled back fourth of the five runners early on, he came under a ride on the run to the two-furlong marker as First Law quickened in front. It took him a little while to get organised, trying to make his ground into a quickening pace, but he finished off his race well on the near side to get to within one and a quarter lengths of the winner.

It was a good ride by William Buick on the winner, a 1 million-guinea yearling, a half-brother to Moyglare winner Skitter Scatter, as he dictated a sedate pace and rendered it difficult for the hold-up horses. The winner's finishing speed was over 110% of overall speed and the first two home occupied the first two places from five furlongs out. Arthurian was fastest through the final furlong and his finishing speed percentage was highest of the quintet.

Andrew Balding's horse handled this soft ground well and he stays this one-mile trip well, and he will be of interest again wherever he goes between now and the end of the season. This was just his third run, so he has plenty of potential for progression. He should be able to go beyond a mile next season.

Haydock, 5^th September 2026

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