Jimi Hendrix holds on in photo-finish to give Hector Crouch a double

Trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Hector Crouch landed a quickfire double with smart juveniles Moon De Vega and Jimi Hendrix.

Moon De Vega made her experience tell when making all to land the mile maiden, a third win in the race in the last ten runnings for her trainer.

Some 35 minutes later Jimi Hendrix almost threw away a victory in the seven-furlong maiden when veering towards the stands but held on by a short-head.

Crouch told Sky Sports Racing: “He whipped round with me first time out at Salisbury, so I should have known better than to hit the front at the furlong pole.

“I got stuck into him early as he’s a horse that can race lazily. He’s had a real good look around; he had a look at the big screen and the crowds. He’s not done a stroke the last half a furlong. Thankfully, he’s held on.”

On Moon De Vega he added: “She showed good tenacity to battle back and get the better of a horse who headed her. She’s a powerful stayer and will progress into a nice three-year-old”

Magical Spirit recaptures form

Tom Eaves ended a 36-day luckless run when guiding 25-1 shot Magical Spirit to victory in the 6f handicap.

The Kevin Ryan-trained gelding had not been seen at his best since landing the Ayr Silver Cup last year, but recaptured that form when winning comfortably by just over two lengths from the Tim Easterby-trained Music Society.

Results, replays and analysis

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