Mojo Star catches the eye at Newbury

Richard Hannon's St Leger hope Mojo Star made a big statement on Saturday, as the three-year-old warmed up for this summer's big race by winning the Academy Insurance British EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury. 

Hannon's charge was the favourite for Saturday's contest and he did not disappoint as he romped home to win the first race of his career. 

Mojo Star made the running alongside Auriferous, but the former had enough in the tank to get the job done under jockey David Egan. 

Hannon's stable star remains one of the contenders for the world's oldest classic at Doncaster in September. 

He said: "I felt we were better off coming here and galloping, and it will put him right for the Leger. 

"It takes him a long time to get into top gear, which is why the extra two furlongs will suit him at Doncaster. He's not a horse that will go 20 lengths clear regardless of the standard of the opposition. 

"David said he breezed for half a mile. There's not many horses that would keep that gallop for as long as he does." 

Alcohol Free on track for York

Andrew Balding has revealed Alcohol Free will run in Wednesday's Juddmonte International at York and next week's contest should be a fascinating watch, with St Mark's Basilica set to run, as well as Mishriff. 

Alcohol Free, one of the best fillies in training at present, will also now take her place on the Knavesmire, and Balding has no worries about the trip. 

He told ITV Racing: "We've just made the decision she probably will run. 

"Jeff is never one to shy away from a challenge, and the filly is in great form, which is the most important thing. 

"She's thriving at the moment, so why not? If she doesn't stay, she doesn't stay." 

Hukum too good at Newbury

Owen Burrows' Hukum made it back-to-back wins in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The four-year-old beat Max Vega to win the race last year and he made it successive wins thanks to another find ride from Jim Crowley. 

Hukum had won a Group Three contest at York in July, and was handed a 3lb penalty as a result. 

He pulled clear with three furlongs to go, leaving Rodrigo Diaz and Pablo Escobarr to pick up the minor places. 

Sacred pounces late for Haggas

Sacred left it late but timed his strong finish to perfection to win the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The three-year-old finished seventh in the 1000 Guineas in May and had not been seen since but connections' decision to give her a rest paid off. 

Tom Marquand found a gap and the pair led for the final furlong, eventually beating Laneqash by a length. 

Trainer William Haggas will have been delighted with her recent improvement and the daughter of Exceed and Excel has now won three of her eight races.