Keniry sprints to Musselburgh success

The race usually produces a thrilling finish and this renewal continued the trend as Liam Keniry came flying home on the 6-1 joint-favourite to pip Racy by a head in the 17-runner contest. Ledbury-based trainer Ed de Giles, at the half-way point of a 650-mile round trip, said: “He was given a textbook ride and he is progressive on fast ground so we were praying the rain stayed away. He only cost £14,000 two years ago and we’ll possibly look at a big handicap later in the summer at Ascot or maybe even the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August. I ride him out at home so he’s used to carrying my weight. He was lazy but is a lot better now he’s fit. The prize money is great.”

Royal Ascot may only be a matter of hours away now but Roger Varian is already looking to Glorious Goodwood after Morawij struck gold at Sandown on Saturday. Sent off the 10-11 favourite, Ryan Moore made all aboard Morawij to land the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Scurry Stakes by a neck from March. Morawij showed plenty of guts in hanging on to the Listed prize and Varian has the King George Stakes as a mid-summer target for Morawij, although he would like to get another run into him beforehand.

He said: “On a sharp course we could be more patient with him and what I like about Goodwood is that he ran well there in the Molecomb last year.”

Jockey Cathy Gannon boosted an already impressive strike-rate for Andrew Balding when delivering Ningara to post a 14-1 surprise in the Cash Out Multiples Only On Betfair Handicap. Deputising for the injured David Probert, Gannon made the best of her opportunity to produce Ningara late to score on his first outing on turf. Roserrow made it a stunning 169-1 double for Balding when taking the Novae Insurance Handicap in the hands of Jimmy Fortune. The winner is in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, but Balding has Stirring Ballad lined up for Wednesday’s feature handicap, with Roserrow instead set to return to Sandown for a race on July.

Body And Soul is likely to be targeted at the Ayr Gold Cup after landing her third big prize in the Macmillan Charity Sprint Trophy at York.

Richard Hughes was confident Baltic Knight (2-1 favourite) would win the Ian And Kate Macmillan Ganton Stakes and his faith was justified with a straightforward success. Sam Sharp was a clear-cut winner of the Ladbrokes.com Handicap in the silks of Noel Martin, who is best known for the good grace in which he handled his horse Jacqueline Quest being demoted after winning the 1,000 Guineas in 2010. She was trained by Sir Henry Cecil, who died on Tuesday, and Sam Sharp (15-2) spent three years with the much-missed handler. Now with Ian Williams, the seven-year-old powered clear to beat Silvery Moon by two and a quarter lengths. “Henry gave me a taste of the Classics, I’ll always be grateful for that,” said Martin.

Lady jockey Carol Bartley has been trying to win the prestigious Queen Mother’s Cup since 1997 and finally landed the prize on Jim Goldie’s veteran Nanton (9-1). Yesterday, Cecil’s widow Lady Jane Cecil sent out three winners from four runners, highlighted by a Tom Queally-ridden double at Salisbury.

Classic action in France saw Criquette Head-Maarek return to the big-race winner’s enclosure as Treve ran out a most impressive winner of the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Options for the lightly-raced filly could include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, although connections would have to shell out a not-inconsiderable supplementary entry fee.