Masar wins Craven Stakes for Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby at Newmarket

Ridden by William Buick for the Godolphin trainer, Masar burst clear of runner-up White Mocha to win by a massive nine lengths, with Roaring Lion well behind in third.

The result and decisive margin was made all the more significant as the son of 2009 Derby winner New Approach finished a distant 10th in a warm-up at Meydan in Dubai last month.

However, Masar was a different proposition this time on grass during Newmarket’s hottest April afternoon for 70 years and led from start to finish to win in stunning fashion.

The John Gosden-trained Roaring Lion was the race favourite to cement his Classic claims after finishing second to Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy and winning three of his four juvenile starts, including the Royal Lodge Stakes over course and distance.

On the other hand, Masar was beaten by a huge 41 lengths on his own most recent outing last month on Meydan’s dirt. However with Buck pulling the string, he dashed down the hill of the Rowley Mile before dashing back up it to defeat White Mocha by nine lengths, with Roaring Lion a head back in third.

The result instantly projected Masar into the reckoning for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas also at Newmarket on 6 May.

Speaking afterwards, a clearly delighted Appleby said, “William said he quickened twice, before the Dip and then up the hill.

“He’s got quicker but he’s also got stronger. People asked why we gave him a run in Dubai, but that was just to take the gas out of him and put some manners on him. He was always going to be a three-year-old and he looks to be a nice horse.

“We were confident coming into this race that we were a player and that he’d either win or finish second to Roaring Lion. The Guineas route will be foremost in our sights now.

“He was 100 per cent ready in his fitness but he won’t be over the top through running today. There certainly won’t be any bounce factor!”

The Appleby-Buick combination also came good in the British EBF bet365 “Confined” Novice Stakes as Nordic Lights eased to a useful victory.

Buick was once again in full control of the contest run over a mile and two furlongs as the winner came home two lengths ahead of Raa Atoll in second and Argentello in third.

There was an equally tidy success for trainer Roger Varian as jockey Andrea Atzeni guided Sheikha Reika to victory in the Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Atzeni and his mount justified their backing as race favourite to come in a steady three lengths ahead of Ocala in second, with outsider Maid Up in third a further six lengths back.