'Hey, I'm a magician, see that?' - Trojan Horse wins smartly for Franny Norton

Thursday: Ripon

Franny Norton joked he was a magician when a rabbit came to join him in the winner's enclosure following the success of flashy colt Trojan Horse in the 1m4f novice stakes.

No wizardry was needed in the race, but plenty of strength required in the saddle as the three-year-old raced greenly in the closing stages before eventually asserting to win cosily by three-quarters of a length.

"Hey, I'm a magician, see that?" he said. "He's a big baby. He got lit up early on and I pressed him from three and a half down and he got there smoothly.

"He looked around when he was at the front, but I don't mind that as you know there was a little bit left."

The winner races in the Double Trigger silks of Ron Huggins, and Trojan Horse signed off last season winning a novice stakes named after the legendary stayer. Like Norton, he looks sure to have a few more tricks up his sleeve.

Skycutter back on the Flat

Last seen finishing ninth in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Skycutter won the Silver Bowl Handicap under 7lb claimer Ryan Sexton, who later completed a double aboard Empirestateofmind.

York next for star Lady

Star Of Lady M made it two wins from as many starts in the opening 5f novice stakes. Afterwards her trainer David O'Meara indicated the Marygate Stakes at York's Dante meeting could be the next target.

Replays, results and analysis

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