MAGICAL Memory, Stewards’ Cup winner in 2015, came back to his best recently and landed the Group 3 bet365 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. It was the perfect way for Frankie Dettori to mark his return from injury.

Driving rain meant soft going and several non-runners. There were worries about Magical Memory’s ability to handle the surface and he started at 3/1 favourite. Those looked generous odds as he led before the furlong pole and readily held the determined challenge of 20/1 shot Perfect Angel by just over a length with Lady Macapa a fair third.

Charlie Hills has coaxed Magical Memory back after a poor effort at Royal Ascot. The five-year-old got up in the last stride at Haydock and won more decisively here, though whether he will ever make his mark at Group 1 level is not clear. He has had five unsuccessful tries so far.

“We were worried about soft ground and after Ascot I was thinking about dropping him back to five furlongs,” Hills said.

“But I think he wants a bit further than six if anything and we’ve just paid €1,800 to get him into the Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

“It was great to see him get his head back in front again.”