Markaz too strong in Criterion

Markaz got his reward for a string of consistent efforts when staying on well to win the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.

Barry Hills’ three-year-old finished fourth behind the smart Adaay and Limato in a Group 2 over six furlongs at Haydock last time and he was stepped back up to seven furlongs on this occasion.

Sitting just off the pace set by Code Red, Markaz took it up around a furlong from home and kept on well for Dane O’Neill to beat the favourite Hors De Combat by a length-and-three-quarters, with Lincoln staying on from the rear for third.

It was a second winner of the day in the Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum colours for O’Neill, who won the opening juvenile maiden aboard Ibn Malik for Hills’ son Charlie.

Gospel Choir made a successful return to action when getting the better of a bobbing finish with Dubday to win the Listed Fred Archer Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute‘s six-year-old had not run since winning the Yorkshire Cup in May last year, but he showed a willing attitude to prevail by a short head from Dubday.

The win justified Ryan Moore‘s decision to start his day at Newmarket before flying over to Ireland to ride at the Curragh.

Katies Diamond showed why she was recently bought by Qatar Racing Ltd when staying on strongly to win the Listed Empress Stakes over six furlongs.

Karl Burke‘s juvenile is highly rated by her trainer and made a winning racecourse debut at Redcar last month to ensure she was sent off favourite for this step up in class.

She took time to find her stride, but ran on well to beat White Bullet, who had drifted across the track to the far side, and the front-running Bournemouth Belle.