Fox Hill finds new focus as apprentice Stefano Cherchi lands double

There was double delight for apprentice jockey Stefano Cherchi at Redcar, including success in the feature race aboard Fox Hill on his first ride for trainer Eric Alston.

Cherchi's first win came with the 16-1 runner Rock Melody, who won on debut for trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy.

He then landed the 5f fillies’ handicap on Fox Hill for Alston’s yard, with the five-year-old mare benefiting from first-time cheekpieces.

Alston said: "It’s Stefano’s first ride for me. I was looking for someone to claim 5lb off Fox Hill and I saw he had rides, so that’s how I came to book him.

"The jockeys in her last two runs thought she just wasn’t concentrating, so we brought out the cheekpieces, and watching today I could see the difference in her."

Debut win for Royal Ascot hope

A possible Royal Ascot contender emerged in the second division of the 6f maiden fillies’ stakes as El Maga got off the mark on debut for trainer Phillip Makin.

Makin said: "We were happy. She showed us she had a good attitude and really proved it on the track."

The daughter of Mehmas holds an entry over a shorter distance in the Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury in July, but the Albany Stakes seems a more likely destination.

Makin was careful in considering the filly’s next target. "The Super Sprint was an early entry, and the Albany could be a good option for her," he said. "All I know from that run is that she would want six furlongs."

Results, replays and analysis

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