'He taught me everything' - Connor Planas salutes popular stalwart Daring Guest

Wednesday: Lingfield

There was a touching ingredient to the opening apprentice handicap as Connor Planas won on the horse who taught him to ride aged 13.

Eight-year-old Daring Guest is a popular horse in Newmarket and stormed to a four-length win in the 7f event, prompting the jockey to punch the air passing the line.

Planas, who is based with the gelding's trainer Tom Clover, said: "This horse means a lot to me, I learned to ride on him when I was 13. When I first sat on him he used to run off with me every day. He's taught me everything so to get a win on him means a lot.

"Everyone loves him at home. Mrs Jarvis, who owns him, absolutely adores him. He's like her kid, he's a great lead horse and he's well known in Newmarket. George Margarson used to train him and when their string cross the road they always say hello to him."

Connor Planas: rode Daring Guest to success at LingfieldCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Daring Guest was a 16th win for the rider, who boasts a smart 16 per cent strike-rate, and he admitted things are going smoother than he anticipated.

"I love it. I love every day when I'm riding, you can't get a better feeling," he said. "When I first started off I wanted to get my name out there but I never thought I'd have this many winners early on, so I'm very happy."

Five-time winner Daring Guest has been ridden by 13 different jockeys during his 51-race career, with Planas making it third time lucky after two third-placed efforts over the course and distance.

Hero looks smart

Market support suggested Sporting Hero could pose a threat to 6-5 favourite Harry Brown in the 5f novice stakes and so it proved as the juvenile ran out a ready winner.

Andrea Atzeni, who is looking forward to partnering Emaraaty Ana in Saturday's Sprint Cup at Haydock, rode the colt aggressively to negate a wide draw and was complimentary about his attitude.

He said: "He had a run under his belt in a race that worked out quite nicely and he's bred to go on the all-weather. He jumped okay but I had to chase him up for a few strides to get him rolling. For a sprinter he's a very laid-back horse.

"When I let him down he just kept quickening all the way to the line. He's a big horse so I'm sure he'll get better with racing. I thought it would take a half-decent horse to get by him today."

Crisfords in hot water

Simon and Ed Crisford were fined £140 when unruly filly Golden Glance appeared at the start of the 1m4f novice stakes wearing undeclared cheekpieces and she was subsequently withdrawn.

The race was won in dominant style by the Queen's Naval College, who provided his Yorkshire Cup-winning sire Dartmouth with a first victory.

Replays, results and analysis

Sign up here. Place a minimum £10 bet on the Sportsbook at odds of minimum 1/2 (1.5) and get £30 in free bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.