Khaadem makes Hay under inspired Buick in Palace House at Newmarket

Khaadem did it the hard way for Scottish owner Jim Hay in the Betfair Palace House Stakes at Newmarket.

Charlie Hills’ 7/1 shot was given a canny ride by William Buick who sent him to the front straight away in the five-furlong contest and the duo quickly built up a commanding lead.

The six-year-old was still two lengths clear of his rivals entering the final furlong but a serious challenger emerged as Existent (25/1) came with a dangerous late run.

However, the speedster stuck to his guns admirably in the closing stages and he clung on to claim his first Group 3 success by a neck in a driving finish.

The owner’s racing manager Alex Cole said: “I don’t know much about the horse as we only bought him last year off Shadwell.

“He ran well his first run out in Dubai, which is where he was bought to run as that is where Jim and Fitri live, and then he was drawn badly his only other run.

“It’s hard to win these races. We’re over the moon. He loves fast ground and he seems to get on well with the jockey, although that is like most horses at present! He’ll have to go to Royal Ascot after that.”

Khaadem is now a general 16/1 chance to bag his first Group 1 success in next month’s King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Umm Kulthum (10/3) looked a nice sprint prospect for the year ahead when taking the EBF Kilvington Stakes.

Richard Fahey’s filly missed most of last season after a setback but she showed no ill effects as she cruised through the Listed contest under Christophe Soumillon.

Front-runner Tenaya Canyon (25/1) wouldn’t go down without a fight but the four-year- old wore him down to take the six-furlong contest by a neck.

Fahey said: “She’s always been a smart filly and last year was very frustrating as it wasn’t a major problem but enough to keep her off the trackand we just ran out of time. She’d been working very well but when they’ve had a problem you are always minding them. It’s only the last couple of weeks she’d come to herself.

“She’s in the 1895 Stakes at York and I was keen to get a run into her before that. This was a perfect race for her, early season against fillies only.”

Michael Dods’ Blackrod (13/2) hit his rivals for six in the brutally competitive Betfair Heritage Handicap.

The sprinter was always prominent under a confident Connor Beasley and he made rapid headway to collar leader Justanotherbottle (28/1) a furlong out.

The gelding then kept up the gallop to see off a determined challenge from Above (33/1) by a about a length with Chairmanoftheboard (33/1) a gallant third. Justanotherbottle stayed on gamely to take fourth with well- backed favourite Jumby (11/2 Fav) a respectable sixth.

BUICK talented sprinter kept nerve in Palace bid