First Law stays unbeaten with Haydock victory Godolphin are hoping lightning strikes twice after First Law kept his unbeaten record intact in the Listed Betfair Celebrates Bow Echo Ascendant Stakes, a race won 12 months ago by this year’s star miler. Bow Echo landed the Haydock contest on his second start as a two-year-old and went on to take the mile division by storm this season before a setback led to him being retired to stud after three Group One wins. Charlie Appleby will be holding high hopes now for the still unbeaten Too Darn Hot colt, after the 6-4 favourite forged clear in the final furlong to win by three-quarters of a length from Rocket Boy. Bow Echo went from Haydock to Newmarket to keep his unbeaten record intact with a win in the Royal Lodge and while First Law could also head to the Suffolk track it is more likely to be for the Emirates Autumn Stakes on October 10. “He is in the Dewhurst and the Royal Lodge, but possibly something like the Autumn Stakes over a mile at Newmarket would suit. That is a race Charlie has brought some of his nicer two-year-olds to,” he said of the one-million guineas purchase. First Law cut out the running in a slowly-run race, was challenged by Rocket Boy from two out, but as the post approached he had a bit in hand. “He is raw and learning on the job, but that was very much what I expected coming here today,” said Buick. “I was hoping we wouldn’t have to make our own running, but it is what it is. “He wasn’t improved for the ground, but it is a good learning curve for him. I like the way he finished off the last half of the race. It is never ideal going that slow because you don’t want to quicken too quickly too far out. “I thought he did very well and he is a lovely big horse.” Persica put his head in the right place at the right time coming off best in a bob of heads finish with The Lost King in the opening Group Three Betfair Backs Opinions Superior Mile Stakes. Jockey James Doyle kicked the Richard Hannon-trained five-year-old (100-30) into a clear lead inside the final furlong and withstood the late challenge of the runner-up with his head down at the right time. The winning distance was a nose from The Lost King with another three-quarters of a length back to Fondo Blanco. Doyle insisted he was always confident his number would be called out. He said: “It took a while for the photo to come through. but I could see the (television) van was following me which is generally a good sign,” said the rider. “He excels on this ground and is a really likeable horse. I thought back in trip on slow ground was always going to suit him. It was hard work, pretty tough and you need to stay and be fit as there is a bit of a headwind as well.”
