Merlin weaves winning spell

Clive Cox and Philip Robinson teamed up to land the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock when the improving Red Merlin ran out a game winner of the £85,000 contest.Munsef went for home just inside the last quarter of a mile, but Robinson was stalking him on Red Merlin, who picked up well to deliver his challenge. He got on top inside the final furlong and edged half a length clear in the mile-and-a-half handicap.Cox said: "I won this race a couple of years ago with Dansili Dancer, so I am pleased we gave Royal Ascot a miss and came here with Red Merlin. It is nice to win it again."He was a bit tight in his muscles after Goodwood so we waited for this, and Philip gave him a great ride."The better the race, the better the pace, which suits him as he can be a bit keen."Cox has no plans in mind, but did not rule out a crack at the totesport Ebor at York next month.