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Headway staged a scintillating performance to land an unlikely victory in the 32Red Spring Cup at Lingfield.
William Haggas' colt was at the rear of the field and still had plenty to do with a furlong to go, but the 11-10 favourite found a staggering turn of foot to lift the Listed prize.
The long-time leader Rufus King was still well clear turning for home, while James Doyle had to deliver Headway on the wide outside to challenge.
Yet the complexion of the race changed within a matter of strides as Headway cut down Mark Johnston's charge to run out an impressive one-length winner.
The acceleration was so decisive that Doyle was even able to ease his mount down a few strides from the line.
Haggas' wife and assistant, Maureen, told At The Races: "Turning in I'd have been happy finishing second, but it was gob-smacking how he picked up because they'd gone a nice pace.
"For a first run back it was great. I was really pleased with him.
"When they haven't run for a long time, they can be a bit gassy. It's important they settle, especially when they're going up in trip, which none of us thought was going to be a problem.
"They need to relax and finish the race which he did quite well.
"He didn't seem to mind the track or the surface. There are plenty of options for him. It's a nice start.
"He's worth trying at a mile, for sure. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't get it. William will talk to Harry (Herbert, owners' racing manager) and we'll see where we go from here but it's a nice start."
Headway earned a first show of 25-1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas.
Encore D'Or (2-1 joint-favourite) won the Betway Handicap for the second year running with a power-packed finish in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Brother Tiger took the field along at a brisk pace until Moore set his sights on the leader and pounced on Robert Cowell's the 2-1 joint-favourite to stamp his authority in this five-furlong dash.
Leading just inside the final furlong. Robert Cowell's six-year-old scored by a neck from fellow joint-favourite Atletico.
Moore told ITV Racing: "He had a very smooth run round. It all went nicely. He has plenty of talent and is well suited to these surfaces."
Attain (7-1) gave leading all-weather trainer Archie Watson his 29th winner of the winter campaign when getting up close home to claim the Betway Handicap.
The nine-year-old got up close home to pip Widnes by a neck under 7lb claimer Pierre-Louis Jamin.
"We claimed this horse out of a race here about 15 months ago now and he's won four for us now," said Watson.
"For him to keep doing it in the afternoons for us and contributing is just great. He's a legend."
Constantino (7-1) made a triumphant return after an 154-day absence to take the Play For Free At sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap for trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Paul Hanagan.
