Channon Eager For Autumn Aim

Mick Channon is eyeing a late-season campaign with shock Weatherbys Superlative Stakes winner Halicarnassus.

The 33-1 chance saw off his better-fancied rivals in the Newmarket Group Two in game fashion and Channon is now looking towards an autumn schedule.

Hinton Admiral took the field along at a decent clip with Aidan O'Brien's Irish raider Admiralofthefleet also taking up a prominent position.

However, Halicarnassus was struggling to go the early gallop and at the halfway stage a victory for the Cape Cross colt looked an unlikely proposition as he was the first to come under pressure.

Tony Culhane sat tight though, and Halicarnassus began to motor again coming into the final furlong before producing an admirable turn of foot to run out a half-length winner over He's A Decoy (5-1).

Admiralofthefleet stayed on to finish a further one and a half lengths back in third.

Channon, who struck with Ladbrokes St Leger hope Youmzain at the track on Thursday, said: 'I couldn't believe the price he was as I've always liked him. He's a colt who will act on any ground and already wants a mile.

'I'm looking at him as an end-of-season horse and I might put him away for races like the Racing Post Trophy and the Royal Lodge Stakes.'

Culhane was equally impressed and said: 'It rode a very good race. They went very fast and kicked early.

'My horse was green but he saw his race out well. He quickened up impressively and could be anything.

'He will obviously be a very nice horse for next year and probably end up a middle distance horse.'

He's A Decoy had won his two previous starts, including a Listed race at Cork last time, but his trainer David Wachman was not too disappointed to lose his unbeaten record.

He said: 'He just got mugged in the last couple of strides. Today he showed he was a bit green ? he was turning and looking at the crowd where the course begins to narrow.

'But you would still have to be pleased with second in a race like this.

'I don't know where we will go now. He's entitled to go anywhere now. There is Goodwood and the good two-year-old races are now starting in Ireland.'

Admiralofthefleet had won his maiden by six lengths last time but O'Brien believes he will improve again for his latest run.

'He was babyish first time out and he improved a lot for his second start. He needed his first couple of starts but is improving all of the time,' said the Ballydoyle handler.

'He won't mind going seven furlongs or a mile and he will only get better.'

Despite going off a well-supported 13-8 favourite, Chesham Stakes winner Champlain put in a dismal performance to finish last of the seven runners.

Jockey Philip Robinson was at a loss to explain the Seeking The Gold colt's defeat, adding: 'I don't know what happened ? there was just nothing there.'

(C) PA Sport