Montassib

“I thought Unequal Love might run well but I wasn't expecting Montassib to enjoy that ground and I thought they were both drawn away from the real action. We relied on Bucanero Fuerte going forward, which he did, and Unequal Love was always travelling well, whereas Cieren [Fallon] had to get after Montassib. On softer ground they come back to him and that would suit him better, but he's the most genuine horse at home and Cieren always thinks there's more to come. The Champions Sprint was always the race I was looking forward to. You would think the race would suit him, but he'll now be one of the favourites and things are different when you're expected to win - William Haggas, trainer.”

“I'm not sure where we'll go now, but Montassib won't go to Goodwood for the Stewards' Cup. He'd have to carry a Group-race penalty now. I think we'll stick to stakes races and go wherever we can get a bit of dig in the ground - William Haggas, trainer.”

“I do believe I should have won the Ayr Gold Cup on Montassib, he reversed the form at York and he's improving all the time. He's got so much quicker - Cieren Fallon, rider.”

“"It's only taken us three years to find Montassib's right trip, but we got there in the end. He had a bit more luck than he did at Ayr. He really is a lovely horse and one of those nice ones to have around. He was a good two-year-old then had a problem with his heart, and had the whole three-year-old campaign off. He's still got a few miles on the clock and lots of racing left in him. There isn't much left for him unless something comes up at Doncaster, but that might be it for the year. He's definitely stepped up his last two runs" - Maureen Haggas, assistant trainer.”

“Montassib found the ground quick enough but I wanted to make the most of him by setting him alight two and a half furlongs out. It's nice that he could get his head back in front - Cieren Fallon, jockey.”

“I thought Montassib was certain not to cope with conditions and told everyone he'd dislike the ground, but he coped with them. Most Exceed And Excels don't like that ground, but he won nicely and I don't know what we'll do, but the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot would seem an obvious target - William Haggas, trainer.”

“It was probably as you'd have hoped from Montassib. Four-runner races can get a bit muddly but he travelled into the race and duly put his head in front. He's had a good experience, the ground is plenty quick enough and he handled that fine. It's good to have him back on the racecourse. He looks like he belongs in a Newbury or Ascot paddock and hopefully he'll be ending up at those racetracks in the near future - Tom Marquand, jockey.”