Royal Ascot on agenda for The Lir Jet as Bell debutant smashes track record

If Nick Bell has his way then The Lir Jet won't just be going to Royal Ascot in two weeks time in a bid to follow up his impressive debut win at Yarmouth, but will also be doing so in the colours of a new owner.

Bell, the son of Newmarket trainer Michael Bell, picked up The Lir Jet privately a fortnight before he lined up in the 5f novice auction stakes for two-year-olds and watched on as he blitzed up the straight course under Silvestre de Sousa to win in 59 seconds flat – a new course record not only for a juvenile but for any horse running over the trip.

"We were very sweet on him today," Bell said. "He was meant to go to the breeze-ups and he's got a very good attitude for a breeze-up horse.