Jim Crowley lands first running of Listed Tandridge Stakes on Manaafith

Local jockey Jim Crowley was a fitting winner of the first running of the Listed Tandridge Stakes, which is named after the district of east Surrey in which the track lies.

The mile contest was brought in to replace the Winter Derby Trial which had been attracting few runners in recent years.

Crowley's mount Manaafith had a bit to find on figures with the likes of Sir Busker in the six-runner line up, but you would not have known it by the way she stormed up the straight to score for Roger Varian.

The Shadwell-owned filly may well have a couple more important dates in her diary before the spring is out.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to the owners, said: "Manaafith could go to Finals Day after that but she already has a booking to our new stallion Minzaal. We'll see what Sheikha Hissa wants to do."

Annaf said

The legendary Kachy used to a blaze a trail from flag fall in his races, but that wasn't the case for the latest winner of the 6f contest named after him as Annaf came from last to first to land the Listed event.

The 6-5 favourite blew the start as usual but had enough class to make up the leeway in the straight under Rossa Ryan and land the hat-trick. 

All roads now lead up the A1 to Newcastle on All-Weather Championships Finals Day for the former Shadwell-owned gelding, who cut down Diligent Harry and previous winner Exalted Angel.

Ryan said of the Mick Appleby-trained winner: "He's the sort of horse you can wait four of five strides longer on as you know he has the gears to get there."

More, More, Moore

Hello Zabeel was the highlight of a treble for Ryan Moore, who was one of two jockeys who made the overnight flight in from Dubai.

The 7-4 favourite was giving Charlie Fellowes a welcome first win of 2023 when reeling in front-runner Bezzas Lad in the 6f handicap.

Fellowes said: "We'll keep him on the all-weather for now but at some point I'm sure his owner would like to run him at Chester."

Owner Andrea Wilkinson now has a full house of Moores after the former champion jockey kicked off his spree on her homebred Capricorn Prince, who is trained by Ryan's father Gary, in the 1m5f handicap.

Wilkinson only met the winning rider for the first time in the paddock before the race and was in raptures after the 11-4 favourite powered home.

She said: "Gary Moore finds it hard to get Ryan but we might have him again after that!"

Moore followed up with 4-11 chance French Invasion, who landed the 1m4f novice stakes for Charlie Johnston.

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