Glory for William Haggas at the end of dream week as Tiber Flow beats Witch Hunter in photo-finish

An unforgettable week for William Haggas ended in fine fashion as Tiber Flow poked out his nose to maintain his trainer’s blistering form.

Much of Haggas’ focus over the last seven days has been on Economics, the much talked about three-year-old who could have run in the Epsom Derby in June, but was kept back until reappearing triumphantly at Deauville on Thursday.

There are big prizes to be won with Economics in the future, but prizes have been making their way back to Haggas’ Newmarket stables on a daily basis of late and that theme continued at Newbury.

Tiber Flow, under a super ride from Tom Marquand, had his head down at the right time in the Group Two Hungerford Stakes and became the yard’s ninth winner from 20 runners since last Monday.

Haggas will be eager for the form to continue at York when the Ebor Festival starts on Wednesday and Tiber Flow’s display, which was preceded by stablemate Al Aasy’s smooth success in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, could not have been better timed.

Tiber Flow (right) ridden by Tom Marquand won the BetVictor Hungerford Stakes on Saturday

The five-year-old grey gelding beat Witch Hunter in a photo finish at Newbury Racecourse

In a thrilling conclusion to the prestigious seven furlong race, Tiber Flow held off the late thrusts of Witch Hunter, Jumby and 13/8 favourite Kikkuli to claim the near £71,000 prize.

‘I thought I was beaten on the line,’ gasped Marquand. ‘He is such a fun horse and has quite a lot of class. The team have done an incredible job with him.’

That comment was made in reference to how the season started for Tiber Flow, when he was summersaulted after a fall in the Duke Of York Stakes in May. Incredibly, he escaped any form of injury.

Haggas’ wife Maureen added: ‘I thought he was dead at York. I took my shoes off to run down to the track, but he cantered past me with ears pricked. He is an absolute legend.’