Jack Mitchell hopes Khuzaam 'hasn't stopped improving' after finals day rout

Jack Mitchell achieved a notable first victory on All-Weather Championships finals day in emphatic fashion when Khuzaam romped home in the Mile.

With many top jockeys absent from this fixture due to self-isolation after returning from the Dubai World Cup fixture, Mitchell had a rare opportunity in the Shadwell silks for his boss Roger Varian and he did not miss out.

The well-backed 6-4 favourite put the race to bed on the home turn when going clear to slam Mums Tipple by five lengths.

Khuzaam was backing up a recent comeback win at Chelmsford and could well be a big player on turf this summer.

Mitchell said: "Fair play to Shadwell and Mr Varian for sticking with me and it means everything to get my first win on a big day like this.

"Everything went nice and smooth and his work has improved quite a bit at home since Chelmsford. I would imagine a stiff seven furlongs will suit him on turf and hopefully he hasn't stopped improving."

Kirby reaches landmark with double

Adam Kirby became the winningmost jockey on finals day with a double on the card highlighted by the impressive success of Diligent Harry in the three-year-old 6f sprint.

Adam Kirby on the mark with Diligent HarryCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The 2-1 market leader was extending the good record of favourites in the speed test as he went one better than on his recent warm-up at the track in March.

Clive Cox's strapping colt has come a long way in a short space of time as he only made his debut on January 6 and might have a break now after reeling in pacesetter Mighty Gurkha.

The winner was cut to 16-1 (from 25) by Paddy Power for the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June following his smooth display, although Cox is in no rush.

He said: "Diligent Harry has come a long way in a short space of time and Adam has given him a lovely ride. We'll see how he comes out of this before we decide where we go on turf."

Just 35 minutes earlier, Kirby kicked off his brace when Summerghand came late to foil fellow northern raider Exalted Angel for David O'Meara.

Ranch shows his hand again on the Flat

It was appropriate that they went the pace of a jumpers' bumper in the early stages of the Marathon as the 2m contest was won by part-time hurdler Ranch Hand, who kicked off a double for Andrew Balding.

Ranch Hand (James Doyle) stays on powerfully to win the MarathonCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Off a slow pace set by Australis, James Doyle was in the perfect place on the home turn before going on to master Rock Eagle.

Doyle said: "It was a messy race, particularly early on when I had to take him back and he was caught flat-footed when Alan King's horse took off. He had the form in the book having won a competitive handicap at Newmarket last year."

Balding added: "We were a bit concerned about running Ranch Hand here as he's a big horse but he handled it well. We may as well keep him on the Flat after that and may well look at the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot."

Martin Harley, rider of fourth Rainbow Dreamer, received a four-day ban for interference (April 16-17, 19-20).

Pholas first for Boughey and Doyle

Up-and-coming Newmarket trainer George Boughey celebrated the biggest win of his short career when Pholas defied the BHA ratings to spring a 25-1 shock in the Fillies' and Mares'.

Pholas (far left) provides Hollie Doyle and George Boughey with their first finals day winsCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The Juddmonte filly may well have been rated 25lb lower than favourite Indie Angel, but you would not have known it judged by the way she came late under Hollie Doyle.

As with the trainer, the victory was a first on finals day for Doyle, who finished an honourable second to Richard Kingscote in the 2020-2021 all-weather jockeys' title.

Previously prolific in the handicap ranks at Newcastle, Pholas was in the best place when the pacesetting Fizzy Feet folded at the furlong pole.

Speaking from Chelmsford, Boughey said: "This is a fantastic result all round and the filly was incredibly well bought by Sam Haggas. We actually bought her back for £10,500 at the February sales and that looks good business now, especially as I had phone calls to buy her not soon after she crossed the line."

Nortonthorpe Boy claims top honours for delighted McEntee

Phil McEntee praised the "unbelievable achievement" of Nortonthorpe Boy after he was crowned winningmost horse for the All-Weather Championships after his two challengers failed to score on the final day of the season.

Picked up for 7,000gns at the sales in October, Nortonthorpe Boy won six of his 14 starts during the campaign for owners Michelle and Tom Hancox, earning them a £10,000 prize for claiming the title.

Khatm, also a six-time winner who had been placed fewer times than Nortonthorpe Boy, and five-time scorer Spring Romance had the opportunity to snatch the award on Friday, but fell short in their respective races at Chelmsford and Newcastle.

Nortonthorpe Boy in winning action at Wolverhampton in FebruaryCredit: Pool

Nortonthorpe Boy is the second horse McEntee has claimed the winningmost title with after Spare Parts was joint-winner in 2017-18, and the trainer was thrilled to claim the honour.

He said: "It's an unbelievable achievement and we're really proud of him. We did it with Spare Parts three years ago when he was joint-leading horse and we had a horse who was second last year when the season was cut short, so it's something we target each year.

"Michelle and Tom have been brilliant supporters and it's their first horse with me as well."

All-Weather Championships 2020-21 roll of honour

Champion trainer Mick Appleby
Champion jockey Richard Kingscote
Champion apprentice Marco Ghiani
Champion owner Godolphin
Winningmost horse Nortonthorpe Boy

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