'She's the one I fancied out of the whole yard' - Zebra Star seals unexpected double for Mike Smith

Mike Smith celebrated an unexpected double after Zebra Star made all to land the 7f handicap under Harry Burns. 

The four-year-old filly scored by a length and a quarter to follow up stablemate Ski Angel's victory in the preceding 5f handicap, where she surprised her trainer by scoring at 11-1 in the hands of Duran Fentiman. 

"I came here today fancying Zebra Star a lot more than than Ski Angel," Smith told Racing TV, before going on to say of his second winner: "This mare has changed. Clyde Vets were fantastic and we found a sinus problem and operated to sort it at the tail end of last year. It's definitely helped her and she's getting stronger and better all the time, and I think she'll stay further. 

"She's taken a wee bit of time to grow and has just matured over the winter. She's a lovely mare. She's probably the one I fancied out of the whole yard to win first time out. It's brilliant, it's a great start for the two of them and let's hope it bodes for a good season." 

The double marked the dual-purpose trainer's first Flat winners of the year, following on from the yard's nine jumps winners over the winter. 

Doyle delivers

Hollie Doyle made a rare trip to Ayr and was rewarded with a winner when Show No Fear struck in the 1m7f handicap for Rebecca Menzies. 

The four-year-old was making his first start in 101 days and scored by four lengths to deliver Doyle her tenth win at the track. 

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