Malabar relishes drop in class

Malabar ran out a dominant winner of the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes under Silvestre de Sousa at Goodwood.

Mick Channon's filly was facing her easiest assignment for a while following five straight appearances at Group One level, most recently when finishing down the field in the French Oaks.

A previous course winner having landed the Prestige Stakes last summer, the 6-1 chance was always travelling well on the far side of the track behind the pacesetting Kool Kompany and quickened up well once asked to extend by her Brazilian rider.

Kool Kompany tried to stay with her but Malabar was much too strong, securing the Group Three prize by three lengths.

Hot favourite Latharnach was a shade disappointing in third.

De Sousa said: "She travelled well and was visored for the first time.

"Mick was full of confidence she'd run a big race for me. She jumped good and travelled sweet."

Channon said: "She ran a cracker in the Guineas and had no luck in Ireland - and the same in France.

"She's not a big horse and we put a visor on her to make her a bit braver.

"We went into the race, as I saw it, with the best horse. She's done it like we knew she would.

"We're thinking of going to America for fillies' races as there are plenty of options for fillies out there.

"She's in the Beverly D (Arlington) but my son is out there and says there are valuable fillies' races at Saratoga and Belmont and the American fillies aren't very good.

"It's exciting to get her back."

Trainer Richard Hannon said of Kool Kompany: "He's run another super race and is a very tough horse. He had to carry a penalty there which made it tough.

"He could go out to Australia, there's a Group One out there over a mile for him."

Charlie Appleby said of the beaten favourite: "My initial reaction is that I'm disappointed. William (Buick) said he travelled well enough but just looked like he lacked a gear.

"At Ascot we rode him to finish strongly but as there was no pace he was handier. We'll look at trying to win a Listed race on a more galloping track."