Gansera-Leveque saddles first winner

Jason Hart: Double at Ripon. Picture: John Grossick

Possibly helped by odds-on favourite Grand Beauty proving reluctant going into the stalls and being withdrawn, the daughter of Zebedee – owned by the syndicate Lamont Racing – was given a positive ride by Lemos De Souza and stayed on well to hold Zuzinia by a neck.

The Newmarket-based handler said: “Racing definitely has its ups and downs and that’s a nice change for us as we lost a horse on Sunday and now we have a winner.

“We all had very high hopes for her and a lot of confidence going into this race. I thought she was going to be my Royal Ascot filly, but things went wrong for her and she had a growth spurt. I always thought she was nice, ever since she stepped off the lorry, and we’ll maybe find her a race at Ayr now given the owners are  Scottish based.”

De Souza said: “She’s been working very well at home, so I was pretty confident on her today.”

Miss Mullberry was also the recipient of a confident ride, this time by 3lb claimer Sam Jones, when she continued on an upward trajectory in the 21 Engineer Regiment Sapper  Conditions Stakes.

Continuing the good form of David O’Meara’s stable, the 3-1 chance was last off the bridle in the five-furlong contest and produced a useful turn of foot to run out a one-and-three-quarter-length winner from Snap Shots.

Richard Guest was also amongst the winners as Pumaflor (9-1) made it fourth time lucky in the At The Races Virgin 534 Nursery.

Making his nursery bow, the son of Aussie Rules rallied gamely under Jason Hart and broke the heart of long-time leader Midlander to register a cosy three-quarter-length success.

Hawick rider Hart said: “He was a little bit green early on but he really tried for me today on a track that probably isn’t ideal for him.”

Hart doubled up when Kodicil (4-1) won the Visit Attheraces.com/mobile Stayers Handicap for Mark Walford.