First Instinct delights William Haggas with Trophy win

William Haggas was delighted as 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 and having proven herself in slower ground in Berkshire, her handler will now consult with owners Dunchurch Lodge Stud Company before deciding if she races again this term.

Speaking away from the course, Haggas said: “She was great and thoroughly deserved to win a Group race. She’s diminutive but very tough and genuine.

“She jumped well this time as at Beverley she was a bit slowly away and they got away from her. Tom got her out and got her rolling today and she’s just thoroughly genuine and wanted to win and it was great.

“I’ll have to talk to her owners and they will decide if we run again. We might have another go but I’m not sure I can see the point really she has done her bit now.

“It was good to soft today and Tom said she didn’t mind it at all so that’s another string to our bow if we did decide to run again.”

First Instinct led home a one-three for Haggas, with the better fancied Montassib filling the final spot on the podium after a slow start in his first-ever run over five furlongs.

It was the Group One winner’s first run of the season following a setback in the spring and he will now head to the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on October 18, a race he finished fifth in 12 months ago.

Haggas added: “He was a bit rusty but stayed on well and hopefully that will stand him in good stead for a month’s time.

“He’s going to have to step up on the bare form but he was a long way behind at halfway so he’s done well to finish so close.”