Markaz gave first-season trainer Owen Burrows his first Group winner when landing the Betfred Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle.

Burrows, who took over Barry Hills' stable on his retirement, went close to Classic glory when Massaat was second in the 2000 Guineas and Markaz has now provided him with a major success.

The 9-2 chance, a full-brother to top-class sprinter Mecca's Angel, had been running over seven furlongs and this stiff six played to his strengths as he stuck on stoutly to win by a length from Pretend in the hands of Paul Mulrennan.

Watchable was a length and a half away in third place.

Mulrennan said: "He's the same sort of stamp of a horse as Mecca's, he's very similar to her - plenty of speed.

"He travelled really nicely into the race and a stiff six suited him, he won with a bit in hand at the end.

"He's a nice horse going the right way - he's a nice sprinter."

Burrows, striking with his first Newcastle runner and making it three wins from his last three runners, said: "He showed good form last year, it was a bit of a guess to go back to six, but it's stiff here so we thought we'd give Tapeta a try rather than go to Newmarket for the race he won last year, where it would be soft.

"Paul obviously knows the full-sister (Mecca's Angel) very well and she got quicker as she got older.

"This fella has done physically well over the winter and that's why I was a little disappointed with him the first two times this year, but he'd strengthened up over the winter.

"He's in the July Cup so we'll possibly give that consideration now, but we've got options with him.

"That's my first Group winner."