Defender back to best Prime Defender bounced right back to his best to win the Duke Of York Blue Square Stakes at York. Trainer Barry Hills has a great record in the contest but few will have been as big as 20-1 in the betting. The six-year-old has been falling short in Group races throughout the last few seasons but finally landed a first Pattern-race success, just four days after winning at Haydock. Johnny Murtagh always had Australian import Starspangledbanner in the firing line but he faded in the last 100 yards and it was the Khalid Abdullah-owned pair of Showcasing and Main Aim who chased home the winner, half a length and head adrift. Winning jockey Robert Winston said: "He really put his head out and I was trying not to give him a smack as I think he curls up a little bit. "I just gave him a little back hander in the last half-furlong but he is a horse I have a lot of faith in and on his day he's a very good sprinter. "Darryll (Holland) gave him a lovely ride to win at Haydock four days ago and that has got his confidence up and it definitely helped him today." Hills' son and assistant Charlie added: "This horse is a bit of an unsung hero as he's been around a long time but never quite got his head in front in one of these big races. "He's won three Listed races before but this is his first Group win and we're delighted."
