Haggas’ evergreen eight-year-old stays on well to see off younger legs.

William Haggas' popular eight-year-old Al Aasy put his best foot forward to run out a snug winner of a hot-looking Group 3 Gordon Richard Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.  

Despite being a six-time winner at Group 3 level, which includes victories in the Coral Glorious Stakes at Goodwood and BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury last season, Al Aasy was sent off a 15/2 chance to get the better of some unexposed rivals on his seasonal reappearance.  

Al Aasy still had all six of his challengers to pass as the Andrew Balding -trained See The Fire moved effortlessly into contention at the three-furlong marker, but as she backed out of contention up the Sandown hill, Jim Crowley's mount began to hit top stride, staying on strongly between horses to plunder the prize by half a length from Charlie Appleby's Ancient Wisdom, who was always towards the fore under William Buick.  

The Ed Walker-trained Almaqam finished back in third.  

"I think Jim has got the hang of him now and gave him a beautiful ride," said Maureen Haggas, assistant to her husband, William. 

"He just waited and waited and the mile-and-a-quarter pace suited him well. 

"I was worried he might be a bit fresh today as he has been quite fresh at home, but he was immaculate through the race and Jim just waited and gave him a beautiful ride – it was perfect. 

"We knew he was in good form and he's looked great all winter and if you could have a yard full of horses like Al Aasy and Hamish, then you would be laughing." 

The gelded son of Sea The Stars suffered an agonising defeat to Pyledriver in the 2021 Coronation Cup and could look to set the record straight back at Epsom on Derby day.  

Haggas added: "It could be an option for Al Aasy, but we will go for whatever there is around that is a mile and a quarter or mile and a half that suits."