Askar Tau stays on for victory and a shot at Ascot Gold Cup

ASKAR Tau delivered a welcome reminder of his staying power in the totepool Sagaro Stakes as he set himself up for a first shot at the Ascot Gold Cup.

The Group 3 two-mile race has sometimes been used as a trial for the Royal meeting, although the major players stayed away on this occasion.

Akmal dictated a stop-start pace of what was effectively a rematch of the Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham three weeks earlier but a patient George Baker found Askar Tau (4-1) had a surprising turn of foot in the closing stages as he came home two and a half lengths clear.

"He just wasn't moving as well last season, but we got him started early and he was very good today," said trainer Marcus Tregoning.

Miss Work Of Art (5-1) had previously given champion jockey Paul Hanagan his first winner of the new season at Lingfield and the filly provided his 28th in the Aldermore Conditions Stakes by upstaging the 1-4 favourite Magic City.