Chelsea's Cole hits target at Windsor, while Fame And Glory bounces back

JOE Cole enjoyed a fine start to what he hopes will be a trophy-laden few weeks as his horse Poppanan scored at Windsor, while 2009 Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory showed his class as he returned to winning ways at the Curragh.

Chelsea midfielder Cole will see his team clinch the Premier League title if they can overcome Wigan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and they also face Portsmouth in the FA Cup final on 15 May as they chase the double.

There was certainly plenty of confidence behind his gelding, trained by Simon Dow, before the Betfair Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Series Handicap, as he was backed into 4-1 from 12-1.

Poppanan landed the bets by turning in a decisive display under Adam Beschizza to win by a length and a quarter.

Cole said: "I've just got the one horse in training and (jockey] Tony Culhane recommended Simon to me as a trainer.

"Hopefully I may have a few more horses down the line. I've had a few quid on him today, but nothing major and I don't like tipping up my own horses."

Fame And Glory, meanwhile, will be given the chance to add to his Group 1 tally after opening his account for the year in the High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's colt enjoyed an excellent campaign in 2009, annihilating his rivals in the Irish Derby and chasing home wonder horse Sea The Stars in both the English equivalent and the Irish Champion Stakes.

He suffered an odds-on reverse when third on his comeback in last month's Alleged Stakes but sent off the 30-100 favourite to atone for that defeat under Johnny Murtagh, the result yesterday was scarcely in doubt as he drew clear to take the ten-furlong Group 3 race by five lengths.

A return to the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup on 23 May is now on his agenda.

Lolly For Dolly is set to bid for Classic glory after showing a smart change of gear to land the Oratorio EBF Athasi Stakes.

Tommy Stack's filly was sent off the 3-1 favourite on the back of an impressive Cork maiden win and she left her rivals for dead inside the final furlong to beat Famous by two lengths under Wayne Lordan.

Free Judgement (100-30) has the Irish 2,000 Guineas on his agenda after giving Jim Bolger his third win in the last four runnings of the Dylan Thomas EBF Tetrarch Stakes.