Red Jazz (15-8) was a game winner of the Network Group Spring Trophy at Haydock after a sustained duel with market rival Firebeam.

For much of the home straight the 7-4 favourite was travelling better than the eventual winner but when Richard Hughes let him down he was unable to shake-off his rival.

Instead the Michael Hills-ridden winner knuckled down to regain the lead and score by a neck.

Majestic Myles ran a race full of promise on his reappearance in third.

The winning jockey said: "He has lots of guts, but he's a bit lazy as well. He probably wasn't in love with the ground, but it was a good performance."

Red Jazz does hold an entry in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury next weekend, but Hills said: "I'd be very surprised if he ran there. He's been to Dubai, had a hard enough race today and Frankel is running!"