First Instinct pounces for Trophy success

First Instinct reversed Beverley form to hunt down Shagraan late in the day to win the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.

Mick Appleby’s Beverley Bullet winner Shagraan made a bold bid to follow up in this Group Three event with Kevin Stott going for home over two furlongs out.

However, his advantage was slowly dwindling away after First Instinct began to hit top-gear under a power-packed drive from St Leger winning rider Tom Marquand, with the 11-1 chance edging out her way to a neck success over the 11-4 favourite late on.

It marked a first Group-level success for the three-year-old who led home a one-three for trainer William Haggas, as the better fancied Montassib defied a slow start to run on for the final podium spot.

Marquand told Sky Sports Racing: “She’s had a couple of starts this year where she’s probably not been the quickest out and I was conscious that over the five here against a few speedy ones she would have to be quick out.

“I gave her a kick out the gate and within three strides she was up and rocking which actually took me by surprise. She’s tough and fast and appreciated that little bit of dig in the ground.”

He went on: “Shagraan set her a nice target and there was a moment where I wasn’t sure if she would fire into gear and get him but she knuckled down well the final 100 yards as she always does and she’s a fantastic filly to deal with. She’s small in stature but has a heart of a lion.

“We’re all probably guilty of underestimating smaller types just because they are not imposing physically but there has been some really good small sprinters and she is one of them and hopefully she can take another step up.”