Standing takes high rank

High Standing took the ascent to Group company in his stride as the Wokingham winner swept through the field for a striking success in the Shadwell Stakes at Newbury. The ultra-consistent four-year-old had landed his first three starts this term, and the 5-2 favourite maintained his unbeaten seasonal record by bursting between rivals to deny Prime Defender by a cosy length and a quarter. Bookmakers immediately slashed him at the head of the market for the Bluesquare.com Stewards' Cup but trainer William Haggas quickly ruled out any further handicap engagements. He said: "He started this season on a mark of 85, so he is going in the right direction. He had the choice of running here or going to the Stewards' Cup, so he definitely won't be running there now. He is in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock." Doncaster Rover finished well for third place and just pipped the front-running War Artist for fourth as he returned to the track after a 372-day layoff. The latter's trainer James Eustace said: "It is great to see him back on the track and he just got tired late on. The ground wasn't ideal but we had to run as we were running out of options. "The main aim is a Group Two race at Baden-Baden in October as his owner is German, and before then he may go for a conditions race at Doncaster on August 1."