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Unequal Love lands Newmarket opener

William Haggas kicks off 2000 Guineas Day in style.

UNEQUAL LOVE (centre, blue cap) winning the Ellen Chaloner Stakes at Newmarket in England.
UNEQUAL LOVE (centre, blue cap) winning the Ellen Chaloner Stakes at Newmarket in England. Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Just like they did yesterday, William Haggas and Tom Marquand kicked off their day in perfect style when Unequal Love battled on strongly to land the Listed British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes.

The Chevley Park-owned daughter of Dutch Art was sent off a 4/1 chance to reverse the form with Ralph Beckett's Funny Story when they met here in October, and it would be the same duo that would fight out the finish this afternoon.

However, armed with a 3lb swing in the weights and a return to better ground, it would be William Haggas' filly who would this time come out on top, staying on strongly under Tom Marquand to get the better of Funny Story by a length.

Charlie Appleby's Star Guest finished a further head back in third.

"We were getting 3lb from Ralph Beckett's filly (Funny Story) for a start, but she's improved physically, so I hope she'll have a good season," said Haggas.

"I think Tom wanted to wait a bit longer, but Rossa (Ryan, jockey of Funny Story) was looking like trying to box him in with a good bit of race riding and that forced Tom to go a bit earlier than he wanted, but she stayed on well up the hill.

"I don't think she wants the ground too firm or too soft."

The Dutch Art filly holds an entry in the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Irish 2000 Guineas Day and Haggas was keen to suggest that will be her next intended target.

"It's Irish 2,000 Guineas Day I think in Ireland and it's a Group Two race against the boys, but there's no point putting her in and not running," added Haggas.

"She's got her black type now, so it's onwards and upwards."


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