Margarson justified in ignoring TV ‘advice’

It was the horse’s first success since landing the Lowther Stakes at the 2013 Ebor Festival and she was the beneficiary of a confident Jamie Spencer ride.

“I wasn’t too happy when there were people on TV last week suggesting she should be retired and they were calling her attitude into question,” said Margarson.

Middleham trainer Jedd O’Keeffe has a smart performer on his hands in the shape of Desert Ruler who wore down John Quinn’s Reputation to win by half a length.

However, there was compensation for Malton-based Quinn when his dual-purpose performer El Beau shot clear inside the final furlong to win the Barkers Garage Stakes.

Lady Cecil’s Distain made up plenty of ground , but El Beau always had enough in hand thanks to a nerveless ride by 19-year-old apprentice Joe Doyle who said: “He travelled great but I didn’t think the gap was going to come. When it did, he flew.”

As for Quinn, the victor might now stick to the Flat. “He could go back hurdling but if he’s winning races like this on the Flat, I don’t see the point.

“No one loves the jumps more than me, but the risk of injury is so much bigger,” he said.