Adaay too strong in Hungerford Stakes

Paul Hanagan timed it to perfection as Adaay stepped up to seven furlongs with aplomb in the Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

Switched off in the pack towards the far side of runners, the William Haggas-trained three-year-old has been progressive this season, beating Limato at Haydock and finishing seventh in a red-hot Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Hanagan elected to switch widest of all inside the two-furlong marker and as his mount gathered momentum he asserted to see off the always-prominent Coulsty by half a length, with last year's winner Breton Rock in third.

Hanagan said of the 15-2 winner: "I just put him to sleep out the back, he relaxed lovely and just came with one nice run.

"I didn't want to try and come through them, it was getting quite tight and there was a bit of bumping going on.

"I took no chances and it suited him, he was pricking his ears at the line.

"Staying seven here opens up a lot of new options for him, he stayed the trip really well."

Maureen Haggas, wife of the winning trainer, said: "We would not be frightened of going up to a mile if the right race was there, he obviously doesn't mind cut in the ground and it opens up a lot more doors for him. Hopefully he is with us next year, as he is getting better.

"I was a bit worried today as he behaved so well, usually he wants to jump on everything. Hopefully he is just growing up.

"He is probably better over this trip than he was six, I'll leave it up to William to see where he goes next."

Richard Hannon senior said of Coulsty: "He is a horse who has had a light year, only because we have needed the right ground with him.

"He is a lovely horse and I thought we were going to win, we'll go home and think about it but he might go to Turkey next."

David Simcock was thrilled with the effort of Breton Rock.

He said: "He ran very well and I am perfectly happy with that. He could have done with a bit more rain, but that run sets him up for an autumn campaign. He is the Park Stakes and the Celebration Mile and we will look at races in France later on for him."