'That's better than a Frankie kiss' - well-backed Haydock winner gets involved in interview after landing gamble

'That's better than a Frankie kiss' - well-backed winner gets involved in post-race interview after gamble is landed

Torcello took a liking to the camera after his win at Haydock

Torcello takes a liking to the camera after his win at HaydockCredit: Racing TV

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The evergreen Torcello showed so much enthusiasm for the game when landing a gamble in the 2m handicap that he even took part in the post-race interview.

With trainer Shaun Lycett on leading-up duties, he was left on his own following the 12-year-old's gallant success under Rossa Ryan on his first run on turf this year.

Torcello co-operated for the majority of the Racing TV debrief before kissing the camera, just like all good sporting stars do to celebrate victory.

"That's better than a Frankie kiss, isn't it?" said Lycett after Torcello put his chops all over the camera lens in a similar if not quite the same vein as Frankie Dettori following Golden Horn's Arc victory in 2015.

The sociable Dan Gilbert-owned chestnut, who was backed into 11-4 (from 7-1), was just pleased to be on a racecourse again to notch his 12th success after limited appearances of late.

"I won't run him on anything other than soft ground these days, so we've waited and waited and he's had four runs [on turf] in the best part of two years," said Lycett.

"I think that's where the money came from as they've seen it's soft to heavy. Fair play to Dan for being so gracious as he's wanted to retire him, but he's still got it.

"I've had him since he was five and the lowest he's been rated before today was 74. I want to say a big thank-you to my 11-year-old daughter Jasmine, who rides him every weekend when she comes up, as she's been a big part of this as well."

Ryan landed the first three races on the card, steering the Richard Newland and Jamie Insole-trained Outback Legend to win the 1m3½f maiden and doubling up on Secret Of Life for Ralph Beckett in the 7f fillies' novice.

The victory of Secret Of Life was the standout in terms of quality after the John Deer-owned filly took her unbeaten record to two in quite striking fashion.

"She looks like a colt – she's a big heavy mare," said Ryan. "She's going the right way and has a lovely attitude. She loved that soft ground so I'd say she's pretty ground-dependent, and she's going to improve a lot for that."

Persian picks up

Another well-supported winner hit the target when Persian Land came from the clouds under PJ McDonald to get up in the 6f novice.

The David Evans-trained newcomer might have sprung a surprise at 14-1 against a field containing expensive breeze-up buys for Wathnan and Amo, but the market vibes were still strong considering he was available at 100-1 in places earlier in the day.

"You know with Dave's that they're going to be fit," said McDonald. "The first two furlongs he was absolutely hating it, but I could see them stopping in front of me and as soon as my lad noticed he was making up ground he battled inside that last furlong."

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