Review of the rest of the action from Thursday’s meeting at York where Happy Romance impressed in victory

Romance keeps Hannon Happy

Trainer Richard Hannon tasted victory in the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes for the second year running as Happy Romance (4/1) ran out a convincing winner in the hands of Sean Levey.

All eyes were on 11/8 favourite Devious Company beforehand given the strong form he brought to the table, but Happy Romance always had matters in hand, travelling sweetly in the slipstream of the leaders before taking over approaching the final furlong and putting the race to bed with a decisive turn of foot.

Having been outpaced early, Devious Company finally got the message and stayed on into second late on while 33/1 outsider Out The Hat – tipped each-way in our Value Bet column – ran a huge race from the front and held on for third, just finishing ahead of Uncle Jumbo who was fourth.

Hannon said afterwards: “She is a lovely filly, very uncomplicated. I thought she answered a lot of questions, she got the trip – I don’t think she loved the ground, I thought she struggled in it early on but she got to the front quite easily.

“I do think she’s more than just a flash in the pan two-year-old and she will get seven furlongs. There’s a sales race at Doncaster but we’d love to get some black type with her. The Firth of Clyde might be just the race for her. I bet we see her at the Fred Darling at Newbury in April.”

Levey added: “She’s a beautiful filly. She’s laid back and only does what you ask her to do. We liked her from the get go. I had the race put to bed from a long way out. She pulled up a little bit at the end.”

Montatham continues on upward curve

Montatham (7/2) took another step up the ladder when holding off the late challenge of Sir Busker in a dramatic running of the Clipper Logistics Handicap.

The four-year-old was giving trainer William Haggas his first winner of the meeting but despite enjoying the perfect run through the race, he was all out close home as Sir Busker came from the clouds to get within a neck at the line.

As the runners turned for home, most of the action developed down the centre of the track as Top Rank challenged Montatham inside the final furlong while Sir Busker looked held when switched onto the fair rail.

However, Sir Busker found his second wind with that rail to run against and made relentless progress late on, surging at Montatham who just found the line coming in time as he registered his third victory of the season.

Haggas said afterwards: “He’s such a genuine horse, Jim thought he maybe just got to the front too soon. When Top Rank came to him he went again, but he didn’t see the one on the inside and nor did I.

“I suppose we’ll have to look at Listed and Group races now, but I did put him in the Cambridgeshire. I don’t know if he’ll go there as he’ll go up in the weights again. He’s so genuine I’m happy to go up into a Listed, but they are worth half as much as this was.”

Gold Wand recaptures magic

Gold Wand (6/1) returned to winning ways when producing a commanding display in the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.

Having flopped in the Epsom Oaks and then been beaten into second on the Knavesmire last time, Roger Varian’s filly relished the return to 1m4f and stayed on powerfully to record a one and three quarter-length success.

Sea Of Faith set out to make most of the running but she eventually gave way before finishing fourth, just ahead of fellow William Haggas inmate Award Scheme who did a lot of running to get herself into a challenging position.

In the end, it was the fast-finishing Vivionn who got closest to catching the winner but the bird had flown as Gold Wand galloped all the way to the line.

Jockey Andrea Atzeni said: “I’ve always liked her since she was a two-year-old. We threw her in at the deep end in the Oaks, but lack of experience and the track didn’t suit her.

“She ran well last time on fast ground which she didn’t like. We weren’t sure about the trip today, but she enjoyed it.

“It’s great for her owner (Mohamed Khalid Abdulrahim) as he’s only young and he’ll be watching in Bahrain. She’s big, she’ll only get better.”