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Crystal Caprice the clear highlight on rare six-race card at Yarmouth

Crystal Caprice in the winner's enclosure after her impressive victory
Crystal Caprice in the winner's enclosure after her impressive victory

Wednesday: Yarmouth

Crystal Caprice looked a filly on the up when running out the most impressive winner on the six-race card – the smallest at the track for 20 years and down to a BHA directive according to local officials.

The daughter of Frankel made herself a very valuable commodity when getting her head in front at the third time of asking as she is from the family of Group 1 winners Crystal Ocean and Hillstar.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly justified her 8-11 odds by bounding seven lengths clear of Khamsin Lady up the stands' rail in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Speaking about the number of races, the track’s executive director Glenn Tubby said: “We’ve six which is the first time we’ve only had that for around 20 years.

“It’s a BHA directive to have fewer races and increase field sizes. The downside is that we lose at least a half-hour’s takings at the bar.”

Joy for Joyce

Owner-breeder Joyce Wallsgrove kicked off a busy four days on a high when her homebred filly Terrimia landed odds of 1-4 in the 5f novice under James Doyle.

Wallsgrove, who was extending her unbeaten run with winning trainer Sean Woods, will be on course for the rest of the week as she is stable manager at Newmarket.

She said: "I board my mare at the Woods's Brook Stud so she was always going to Sean, but I held on to this one as her previous offspring I'd let go for no money."

Doyle doubled up when Kiss Kiss won the 7f handicap for Rae Guest.

Long-distance field trip

It was fitting that the mile handicap was won by a Newmarket-trained horse as Year 7 students from Newmarket Academy were in attendance as part of their annual Godolphin Beacon Project.

It was a first visit by the academy to Yarmouth, but unfortunately they could only see the one race as they had to get back to school in time to be picked up.

The race was won by the Gay Kelleway-trained Habanero Star and winning rider Hollie Doyle, who later completed a double on Star Of St Louis, was happy to pose for pictures with the students afterwards.

Habanero Star and Hollie Doyle return after winning the mile handicap
Habanero Star and Hollie Doyle return after winning the mile handicap

Racing To School organiser Ollie McPhail said: "It's the first time we've brought Newmarket Academy students to Yarmouth races as it fitted our schedule. These students were supposed to do the course last year, but missed out through Covid cancellations."

Around-the-clock security

Yarmouth officials had to rail off a section of the horsebox park after travellers moved on to the site last Sunday.

Their presence did not interfere with the staging of the meeting, but it would have done if more caravans had turned up.

Clerk of the course Richard Aldous said: "We've had issues with travellers here before and they get in through the gate we use for the caravan site in the centre of the course. Usually, we get notice they are in the area and close the gates but this time we didn't. "

Travellers have moved into the horsebox park at Yarmouth
Travellers have moved into the horsebox park at Yarmouth

The travellers have been served with a notice to leave the site on Thursday. Aldous said: "The only problem is that we'll have to employ 24 security for a few days in case they come back as we have our ladies' night next Wednesday."

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Newmarket correspondent

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