Livingston beats Telescope in Haydock David Livingston (15/2) sensationally lowered the colours of Telescope in the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock. The Mike de Kock trained four-year-old ran out a cheeky winner of the Group Three contest under Johnny Murtagh as all eyes were focussed upon Sir Michael Stoute's former Derby hope. The winner tracked alongside Telescope as the pair allowed Area Fifty One the luxury of the lead, but he was travelling noticeably better than his well backed rival as the race began in earnest, and having assumed the lead, the ex-Aidan O'Brien inmate produced generously for the rider's urgings. Murtagh said of the winner: "He was very progressive as a two-year-old and Mike seems to have sorted him out now. "When I got after him, he really didn't want to lose and he's won well in the end. "It's obviously very busy for me combining training and riding but it's great to still come over here for the big days." De Kock's assistant trainer Steve Jell said: "He's really maturing now. Last year I don't think the ground helped him and he was quite immature. "Johnny thinks he could step up in trip again. He's entered for a race in Turkey but we won't throw him in at the deep end. "That will have been great for his confidence." Noble Mission had made a poor start and made a lot of headway to chase the winner but Tom Queally's mount flattened out close home and was usurped for second place by Telescope in the shadow of the post. Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "Ryan said he felt a bit lethargic today. "There was no gear change, he just stayed on. He lacked the zip that he shows us in a morning. "When you look at this horse, you can see that he's still changing and is not the finished article. "He hasn't run a bad race but when you come here with his reputation, it was always going to be difficult if he got beat. "We'll possibly see about stepping him up in trip but we will just let the dust settle. He could have just had an off day. "We will regroup, but with this horse we are always thinking of next year."
