Hukum ensures a testing week ends on a high for Owen Burrows

A trying week for Owen Burrows ended on a high when Hukum eased to a second successive victory in the BetVictor-sponsored Geoffrey Freer Stakes – a performance that could propel him into the reckoning for exciting targets like the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Lambourn-based Burrows, a private trainer for Shadwell, the legacy operation of the late Hamdan Al Maktoum, had been due to reintroduce last year's smart juvenile Minzaal at Nottingham on Tuesday, while Danyah was a big fancy for the Hungerford Stakes on Newbury's card.

Both suffered setbacks, but Hukum was able to put the smile back on Burrows' face.

"Minzaal was meant to run and then I went to give Danyah a leg stretch this morning and he wasn't right behind," said the trainer.

"We don't have great numbers and last night I was thinking this could be the biggest day of my career with Danyah and Hukum. Then you wake up and you're minus one and think what else could go wrong, so it's great Hukum has done it so well.

"It was nice and smooth, which is what I was hoping for, although you can never be too bullish."

Jockey Jim Crowley celebrated a double in the Shadwell blue when Tawaareq ran out a decisive winner of the 1m2f handicap.

"His brother Zawraq was second-favourite for the Derby," said Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold.

"He was a hell of a good horse, but we couldn't keep him sound. This horse doesn't have his ability, but he's more durable."

Mojo Star motors home for an easy winCredit: Mark Cranham

Classic countdown starts for Mojo Star

Derby second Mojo Star's performance in the 1m4f maiden did not blow everyone away – Paddy Power and Betfair left him at 12-1 for the Cazoo St Leger – but it was a case of job done for Richard Hannon, who was just relieved to see the 1-6 shot win.

"Mine always get beaten when they're odds-on!" said Hannon, who trains the winner for football agent Kia Joorabchian.

"You wouldn't see a nicer looking horse and he's different class to anything we've had over this trip for a long, long time."

A luckless fifth in the Irish Derby, Mojo Star is well regarded and well named, as Hannon added: "Kia named him after his dad, Mohammed Joorabchian, who they called Mojo, so this horse means absolutely everything to Kia.

"He'd never be for sale and, for once, he named a good horse with the right name. He was very close to his dad, who died 15 years ago this week."

Masekela (navy cap) just comes out on topCredit: Mark Cranham

In-form Balding strikes again

Andrew Balding is playing down any talk of becoming a champion trainer, but Mick Mariscotti, who owns Denford Stakes winner Masekela with his wife Janice, would love to see it happen.

"We've probably had horses with Andrew for about 15 years and he's on fire," said the former Coral finance director. "He's got some really good owners and horses and we chip in as we can.

"I think he's got owners who buy nicer horses now. We paid 30,000gns for this horse so play at a slightly different level, but Andrew is a great trainer and it's fantastic to see the success."

O'Briens flying

Jump trainer Fergal O'Brien won his sole Grade 1 at Newbury in the Challow with Poetic Rhythm and he was smiling after his daughter Fern landed the handicap for female amateur riders on Valentino Dancer.

He watched like a hawk as she weighed in and said: "I was very excited, but we have a lot of family here today and to ride a winner at a Grade 1 track on your fourth ride is fantastic. I just didn't want it to go pear shaped by walking past the scales!"

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