Rob Hornby strikes in Grey Horse Handicap after road chaos denies him a winner
Saturday: Newmarket
Traffic chaos stemming from weekend train strikes meant Rob Hornby forfeited a winner at the July course, but the jockey was soon back on track when Strike landed the Grey Horse Handicap.
Hornby has been king of the Newmarket summer venue this year with wins in both Group 1s at the July meeting and was seen to good effect again when scoring by a nose on Strike for Jonathan Portman.
The unique sprint attracted only five runners but it still provided a spectacle as the whole field was in with a chance at the furlong pole, until Hornby forced his mount home from Verreaux Eagle.
Owner-breeder Simon Emmet said: "That was a great thrill as Jonny picked out this race for Strike some time ago. He loves uphill finishes and tries so hard and it could well be that we're back next year."
Norton motors home
Given it was around 34C on the July course, it was just as well the longest race was the first on the card, and a shock winner emerged from the five-runner 1m6f handicap in 14-1 shot Single.
He went one better than last season in the most valuable race of the day under Franny Norton, who was a late replacement for Hornby.
Winning trainer Mick Channon's son and assistant Jack said: "Rob was stuck in traffic but Franny gave her a great ride and it's great that they put on £60,000 races for these fillies and mares. This was just what she wanted – fast ground and a strong pace."
Doyle double
James Doyle had two winners at the track on Friday and Mischief Magic opened another double when providing Charlie Appleby and Godolphin with another juvenile win at the track in the 6f novice.
Despite a 6lb penalty, the son of Exceed And Excel won like a 2-11 chance should, by six and a half lengths.
The winner was cut to 12-1 (from 16) for the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes on the Rowley Mile next month by Paddy Power after the win.
Godolphin representative Liam O'Rourke said: "He did that nicely and I'd imagine Charlie would have black type in mind for him next."
Doyle doubled up in the 1m2f handicap when dead heating on Canterbury Bell with the David Egan-ridden Total Lockdown.
Mums the word
The joint-owners of Mums Tipple were off to buy Frankie Dettori a drink after he steered their star to a first win of the year in the 6f handicap.
It had been a long time between drinks for the five-year-old, 14 runs in fact, before Dettori made the most of his stamina to collect.
The popular chestnut was completing a double for Richard Hannon who landed the 7f nursery earlier with Mehme.
Memorial race
The closing mile contest was run as the Jayne Reid Memorial Fillies’ Handicap Stakes to mark the tenth anniversary of the death of the former James Fanshawe employee, who died of cancer aged 27.
The renaming of the race, won by Angel's Whisper, was organised by Reid's close friend Cheryl Marshall. It was the second race Reid, who also has a tree planted in her memory at the top of Warren Hill, has had run in her name.
Fanshawe said: "Jayne was great with her horses and was a really valued member of staff. It was sad that she died so young. I think it shows just what sort of personality she had with a race being run in her memory.”
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