Iron Lion may have a crack at the Ebor in his sights having impressed in the Betfred ‘Play Fred’s £5 Million’ Handicap at Haydock.

Trained by David O’Meara, the lightly-raced four-year-old travelled beautifully for Jamie Spencer before quickening up in fine style on his way to a one-length win.

Charlie Johnston’s Knightswood could be considered slightly unfortunate, however, as he was all dressed up with nowhere to go for the majority of the final two furlongs before finally getting a run all too late behind the 5-1 winner.

Iron Lion is owned by Elwick Stud, whose stud manager Gary Moore said: “He’s got quite a knee action and he really appreciated the rain that fell overnight.

“Good ground is good enough for him and we might think about the Ebor now. Jamie said he’ll stay so we might go to Melbourne! We’ll see what David says, he’s the trainer.

“He’s a nice horse, a real fine, big stamp. His sister (Lava Stream) runs tomorrow in a Listed race at Goodwood so that would be a nice family double.

“We’ve got 40 mares on 300 acres just between Durham and Newcastle. There are not many better jobs when you have days like this.”

Few jockeys ride Haydock better than Richard Kingscote and he dominated the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap from the front on Clive Cox’s Pedro Valentino (13-2).

Having run well twice already this season, Cox revealed how he nearly pulled him out.

“If it hadn’t rained overnight he wouldn’t have run,” said the trainer.

“I think the (first-time) cheekpieces just helped him focus and that extra concentration and a drop of rain have been big helps.

“Richard is a very good rider and I’m really pleased, we’re getting some very good results together.”

Bottom-weight Buccabay caused an 18-1 surprise in the Betfred ‘Join Our Sports Club’ Reverence Handicap for Eve Johnson Houghton.

The consistent four-year-old was produced late on by Charlie Bishop to beat Aramis Grey by three-quarters of a length as he was roared home by his enthusiastic owners, the Buckingham Partnership.

“He’s such a bonny horse and because he’s so consistent he gets hammered by the handicapper,” said Johnson Houghton.

“He was second first time out and then I made a big error running him back way too quickly, hands up my fault.

“I’m so proud of him and so pleased for him, he deserved a big one. Ayr could possibly be an aim as he always runs his race. He’s got a lovely turn of foot, but it doesn’t last very long so you have to be very brave!”