Symbol Of Honour shows great resolve in Sandy Lane strike
Symbol Of Honour earned himself a mid-season break after winning the Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock just seven days on from a Newbury victory.
Twice a winner in Meydan earlier in the year, he was beaten behind the smart Cosmic Year at Newmarket's Guineas meeting over seven furlongs but impressed last weekend back down at six furlongs in the Carnarvon Stakes.
Sent off the 2-1 favourite to follow up, Charlie Appleby's grey found this contest harder to master, but given it was a Group Two, that should be the case.
There were plenty in with chances a furlong out as Ain't Nobody, First Instinct and Big Mojo all tried to get involved.
But it was Symbol Of Honour and the filly Arabian Dusk who pulled clear, with just a short head separating them at the line.
There will be no Royal Ascot for the William Buick-ridden winner, though, as being a gelding, he is precluded from the Commonwealth Cup.
Fine effort from Symbol Of Honour who backs up last week's Newbury win in the Sandy Lane for @WilliamBuickX and @godolphin @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/IksecrqLRd
— Nick Robson (@ValueRacingPlus) May 24, 2025
Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam said: 'He toughed it out, I don't think he was quite the same horse as he was last week but he showed a good attitude.
'We'll give him a break now. Obviously, he was in Dubai in the winter and ultimately he probably is a horse to go back to Dubai. What he does between now and then, we'll see.
'He's got an entry in the July Cup (7-1 from 8s with Paddy Power) but we'll see how he comes out of it, all Charlie has quickly said to me is he'll have a break now.
'It would be lovely to run him all year round but it doesn't work like that.
'The yard is flying at the moment, we just need to keep it going for another two weeks (for the Derby), and then another two weeks for Ascot!'
Buick said: 'Full credit to Charlie and the team at home, to win two nice races twice in a week, at different ends of the country, takes some doing.'
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