Strath Spearheads super Saturday for Qatar Racing

Yesterday's spate of winners was headed by the Charlie Hills-trained Strath Burn, who won the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Hackwood Stakes over six furlongs at Newbury. Ridden by Jim Crowley, the three-year-old colt won his second race in quick succession, building on the very smart profile he created last year. He runs for a partnership involving Qatar Racing and Ronnie Bartlett.

Quoted on sportinglife.com, Crowley said: "The ground might have been a little too quick for him but he goes on it. He was very brave and got in a battle from two [furlongs] down. He stays six very well and it worked out nicely."

Hills added: "We got a lovely lead but we were worried about the ground. He'll be a better horse with more juice in the ground. It's great to get him on a nice, level track. There are a few nice races for him now, we'll have a look.

"It would be nice to win a Group Two. I don't want to throw him straight into the deep end in a Group One, and France could be an option for him."

Qatar Racing had won Newbury's opening race, a maiden run in memory of Hills' half-brother John. The Andrew Balding-trained Heartless, the mount of Dave Probert, was the successful horse, scoring at the third time of asking. Balding said: "I am very happy with that - she ran too freely last time out but was more settled today."

Stroll Patrol completed the treble when winning a handicap for Johnny Murtagh's stable, leading close home to beat 13 rivals. Later on the card Wind Fire ran another fine race in defeat when a narrowly-beaten fourth in the Gr.2 Sapphire Stakes.