'He's a super horse' - Ascot-bound El Caballo extends winning streak to six

Saturday: Cazoo Sandy Lane Stakes, Haydock

Karl Burke pulled off the Sandy Lane-Commonwealth Cup double with Quiet Reflection in 2016 and moved close to doing so again after El Caballo racked up his sixth victory in a row.

Tackling Group company for the first time, El Caballo was pushed all the way to the line by Flaming Rib but just held on by a neck, showing the winning attitude that has underpinned his impressive rise through the ranks.

The colt's last four wins had come on the all-weather, culminating in a valuable success on all-weather finals day, and he transferred his form to turf to earn a quote of 7-1 (from 10) for the Commonwealth Cup on June 17 from Paddy Power.

"I wasn't concerned about the ground but he's had to go and prove it in that class," said Burke. "He's a very good horse and he's tough too. We knew that with a lead and relaxing early, which we've seen at home, he'd pick up and really bounce home.

"It'll probably be different ground at Ascot but as long as it's not rattling, I'd be happy. I said this morning that whatever wins this race today will certainly be one of the favourites for Ascot."

Clifford Lee was hard at work from the three-furlong pole on the 7-2 winner and his determination was rewarded with a landmark success.

"It's my biggest win so far," he said. "I feel like Karl has given me a really good boost this year, which helps and is great. It was his first time in Group company and he's done it like that."

Lee was suspended for four days for using his whip in the incorrect place inside the final furlong, while Flaming Rib's jockey James Doyle received a two-day ban for careless riding.

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Jon Hughes, co-founder of the ownership pressure group Keep Owners In Racing, was among the winning contingent and has been there from the start of the journey.

"He's the only horse I've ever pinhooked and with the help of former trainer John Weymes, I bought him for 17,000gns as a foal in 2019," he said.

"Covid hit and then I couldn't sell him, so I brought him back and gave him to Karl to syndicate out and then we linked up with Grange Park Racing. Without Covid we would have sold him, it's as simple as that."

Jon Hughes: part-owner toasts El Caballo's Sandy Lane successCredit: Andrew Dietz

The part-owner added: "He only wins by a short amount, but he hits the line really hard. Six furlongs and the fast gallop of the Commonwealth Cup will be right up his street. He's just a super horse."

Having won the Group 2 Greenlands at the Curragh just before the race, Hugo Palmer came close to a notable double with Flaming Rib.

"He's a really tough horse who goes on any ground and that was definitely a step forward," the trainer said. "We survived a stewards' inquiry in Ireland ten minutes ago, so we may have used up our luck.

"If we had been able to eyeball the winner all the way we might perhaps have got by him but he has certainly now justified going to Ascot for the big one."

Saturday's big-race reports:

Native Trail seals Appleby's place in history books with emphatic Curragh strike

The Queen's Ascot team gets a major boost as King's Lynn seals Probert treble

Blackbeard heads to top of Coventry market after impressive Marble Hill win

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