Jockey steers Words of Truth home in big race at Newbury

WILLIAM Buick and Words Of Truth stormed home in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Pre-race favourite Into the Sky looked to be on course for victory when he hit the front a furlong out.

But trainer Charlie Appleby’s Words of Truth switched to the stand’s rail and raced clear to win by a length at odds of 7/2.

Buick told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s gone from strength to strength and that was a top performance in that ground so I’m delighted with him.

“The horse who finished second won well on debut and I think he is an exciting horse as well, so I think it was an up-to-scratch renewal.

“He’s taken all his previous experience into today and ticks a lot of boxes. He should get seven furlongs as well you would imagine.”

This year’s Group Two event was run in honour of the late Geoff Lewis, who guided Mill Reef to Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory in 1971.

Hungerford jockey Tom Marquand got off to a winning start by steering home 11/1 shot First Instinct in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes.

Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding and Buick were then celebrating as 14/1 Lieber Power stayed on resolutely to claim the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup Handicap.

In the gloom and rain, Mustazeed then won the Dubai Duty Free Handicap from joint favourite Theory of Tides.

The shock result of the day came in the EBF Novice Stakes, where Richard Hannon’s Night Patrol stormed home from odds of 125/1.

Marquand and Hannon picked up their second win of the day when Christian David (18/1) won the Conundrum Consulting Handicap.

And Marquand completed a hat-trick of wins with 10/1 shot Eternal Force in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap.