Course-and-distance winner Wiltshire returned to form in no uncertain terms with a storming victory in the Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap.
Without a win since scoring on Northumberland Plate day in June, 2024, the William Haggas-trained five-year-old was sent off a 7/1 chance having fallen back down the handicap to 96 and undergone wind surgery since his previous start.
Wiltshire only had one horse behind him passing the two-furlong pole before unleashing an electric turn of foot for Cieren Fallon, powering through the field to collar the 2024 Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap victor Fivethousandtoone (18/1) inside the final half-furlong.
A length separated the first two at the line, with nearly three lengths back to third home Berkshire Whisper (14/1), who was bidding to emulate his victory in the 2025 All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap.
Maureen Haggas said: “It is great to get Wiltshire back on track. We have been trying to get him on a path where he could run well and get a bit of confidence. Hopefully, he can build on today.
“He has always had this niggling wind thing which we finally had to get sorted. I think he is probably happier now, more confident, and the tongue strap helps as well.
“He jumped much better today. He has been giving lengths away at the start, so Craig Witheford has done lots of work with him. Hopefully, we have put that one to bed.
“He always had the ability, we have seen that, and he enjoys the all-weather. When he is on the grass, he doesn’t want it too quick. Today was nice as he needed to get his head in front and feel good again.”
Fallon said: “I needed the gaps to open up today. It was going to be a challenge to get through that many horses, so it was a thoroughly good performance.
“Wiltshire has given many lengths away at the start in the past and the team have done a great job with his gate speed. He was able to jump off on terms today. I just latched on to the back of them, and he has travelled into it really well.
“He is tricky. He has always been talented, but whether he turns up or not is the question, and he definitely turned up today.”
David Allan said of Fivethousandtoone: “He loves this track and runs his best races here, especially when there is a headwind, as he drops in. He ran his race and I am very pleased with him.”
Anna Lisa Balding said of Berkshire Whisper: “I am delighted with him, what a great run. The way he was drawn, he has had to do that and come through horses. I think that was definitely a career best. Hopefully, he has an exciting turf season ahead.”
3.35pm Midnite All-Weather Sprint Handicap
1 Wiltshire (The Marathon Partnership) William Haggas 6-9-01 Cieren Fallon 7/1
2 Fivethousandtoone (King Power Racing Co Ltd) Tim Easterby 8-9-01 David Allan 18/1
3 Berkshire Whisper (Berkshire Parts & Panels Ltd No1 Fanclub) Andrew Balding 4-9-03 14/1
14ran 9/2JF Pocklington (7th), Marshman (8th)
William Haggas – 7th Finals Day winner
Cieren Fallon – 2nd Finals Day winner
