ESTIDHKAAR PUTS CLASSIC CASE
Estidhkaar stamped his class on the 666Bet Superlative Stakes at Newmarket with a brilliant display in the hands of Paul Hanagan.
Richard Hannon's Newbury maiden winner was the 15-8 favourite stepped up to Group Two level and raced up with the pace from the outset.
Hanagan pressed the button heading inside the last quarter-mile and although it took him a while to fully shake off his rivals, the further he went the better he looked and he was a full four and a half lengths clear passing the post.
Aktabantay ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot, but was not in the same league as the winner.
Brocklesby winner Cock Of The North was third.
Hanagan said: "I was really pleased with him. We didn't go very quick, but I didn't really want to make it on his first time over seven furlongs. He's still learning.
"When I went for him I really went for him and he put it to bed straight away.
"He wasn't doing a tap in front. I just had to keep him up to his work. There's hardly a blow off him."
Hannon's Ivawood looked the part when winning the July Stakes earlier in the week and Estidhkaar further strengthens the trainer's formidable juvenile team.
He said: "You have to love his long action. He puts his head down and gets on with the job.
"He impressed me and looks like he will get further.
"He did everything wrong the first day, but that can happen.
"We knew he was a smart horse and to be a half-brother to a champion two-year-old (Toormore) he must have an engine.
"Goodwood is a possibility and races like the Dewhurst and the Royal Lodge.
"We have a lot of two-year-olds and it's nice to find the good ones - I love this horse's attitude."
Paddy Power make Estidhkaar a 20-1 shot for next year's 2000 Guineas, and Hannon is already eyeing a tilt at the Rowley Mile Classic.
Hannon said: "He shows a really likeable attitude and he'll be a lovely horse for next season.
"He got beaten first time out through immaturity but I didn't expect him to win like that. He surprised me with the manner in which he did it.
"He as an impeccable attitude and has a lovely, relaxed way of racing. We could run over seven furlongs again, go over a mile or back over six furlongs, because you can ride him any way you want as he's so relaxed. He's a gentleman.
"He's a nice Guineas horse for next year."
Trainer Hugo Palmer will continue to aim high with 370,000 guineas purchase Aktabantay following his excellent effort in defeat.
Palmer said: "He is in the Gimcrack and he is in the Solario at Sandown and the Champagne at Doncaster. One thing he won't be doing is going to Goodwood - apart from that the world is his oyster.
"It is never great being second but he has been beaten by a better horse. William (Buick) said that on better ground he has another gear. He is a lovely horse and has run a massive race."
Cock Of The North's trainer Scott Dixon said: "We were very happy with that performance as it showed that he stays further than that.
"He just hit that flat spot and we were conscious he might do that. He was one of the first off the bridle after hitting that flat spot but he stayed on well. There was no shame in finishing third as the winner was quite useful.
"There are two races he could go for. There is a Listed race over seven furlongs at Ascot or he could go to Goodwood for the Vintage Stakes.
"That may be a bit on the sharp side for him, though, and it would have to be soft to contemplate going there."
