DAVID Livingston, who left  Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle team to join Mike de Kock in Dubai earlier this year, lowered the colours of hot-pot  favourite Telescope  in Saturday’s Gr 3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes over 1900m at Haydock.

Ryan Moore began to make his challenge on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained favourite over two furlongs out as Johnny Murtagh also pushed for home aboard  the De Kock runner.

David Livingston (centre), kicked on best under Johnny Murtagh. (Press Association).

While Moore tried to kick on aboard the 9-4 favourite, David Livingston found plenty for pressure and kept battling before edging in front and eventually going a length clear at the line.

Noble Mission made late progress in a bid for second, but Telescope just held on for the minor honours by a head.  

Murtagh said:  “He was very progressive as a two-year-old and Mike seems to have sorted him out now. When I got after him, he really didn’t want to lose and he’s won well in the end.””

Assistant trainer Steve Jell said: “He’s really maturing now. Last year I don’t think the ground helped him and he was quite immature. ‘Johnny thinks he could step up in trip again. He’s entered for a race in Turkey but we won’t throw him in at the deep end. That will have been great for his confidence.”

Connections of Telescope felt their colt had not shown his best on the day.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said:  “Ryan said he felt a bit lethargic today. There was no gear change, he just stayed on. He lacked the zip that he shows us in a morning.”