Island Bandit strikes again at scene of last year's 125-1 success

Friday: Newbury

Island Bandit, in the headlines last year as a 125-1 winner at the track, struck for the first time since when landing the mile handicap in first-time blinkers.

"The headgear worked," said trainer Heather Main. "I probably should have put them on earlier. We tried to give him every chance, but he's a chilled-out character and needed sharpening up, so we resorted to them. I know he's got tons of ability, but he's tested my patience."

Tarjeeh picks up in styleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hollie Doyle rode the Donald Kerr-owned winner and Main added: "I do like using her and doesn't she perform for us? She performs for everybody and is an amazing rider. I thought if anyone was going to get this horse going it was Hollie and she did."

Based near Wantage, Main has expanded her string in the last few seasons. She said: "We have 31 in training. We had to put in more stables and are pretty full. I'm happy with 31 but would like 50."

Future talent

Both divisions of the 7f novice could be worth following and connections of Tarjeeh and Chaldean certainly think plenty of their winners.

The in-form Owen Burrows won division one with Tarjeeh and, after praising former jockey Ted Durcan for sourcing the colt at the sales, said: "He's got a bit of quality about him and when I looked at the opposition in the paddock there weren't many I'd put a line through looks-wise.

"We've got 22 two-year-olds, which is a good number, and we're just getting going with them."

The well-regarded Chaldean strikesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Andrew Balding, who landed the second division with Chaldean, said: "He's a smart horse. He looks very nice at home – towards the top of the tree of what we've got on his homework. He's bred to be nice and looks that way."

Balding also won the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes with another talented two-year-old in Chateau. "I'd like to think he won that with a bit in hand," he said.

Hannon smiling

Richard Hannon has had a lot of success for Rockcliffe Stud and the trainer hopes Trillium, successful in the 6f maiden, is not retired to the breeding shed any time soon.

"I didn't think she'd win like that," said Hannon. "I trained her dam Marsh Hawk, who was just touched off in the Dick Poole and was near-on favourite for the Fillies' Mile.

"We've also had Sky Lantern and Snow Lantern and they keep retiring them, but hopefully they don't retire Trillium this week."

Walker winner

Ed Walker was starting to think he had done something to upset the Newbury gods before Zulu Tracker struck in the apprentice handicap.

The Lambourn trainer said: "Newbury has been frustrating for me the last few meetings. I think I had two seconds and a third at the last meeting and then we had two seconds today before he won."

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