Silver Bell lures Moore to Hamilton Park

Moore rode Workforce to a breathtaking victory in the Investec Derby in record time at Epsom on Saturday, 24 hours after his first-ever Classic success on Snow Fairy in the Oaks. Now the man of the moment heads north and as a bonus to all racing fans at Hamilton Park, he will give a public interview from the winners' enclosure, before or after the first race at 6.35 – dependent on Moore's time of arrival from the afternoon meeting at Haydock.

Moore and Sir Michael Stoute, Workforce's trainer, team up with Jedi in a field of 14 in the historic Silver Bell.

The jockey is also booked to ride the Eric Alston-trained Johnston's Kiwi in the 8.35pm Racing UK Selling Stakes.

Hazel Peplinski, clerk of the course at Hamilton, said yesterday: "It really is fabulous that Sir Michael Stoute is sending a representative in Jedi and even more so that we'll see Ryan Moore aim to add our Lanark Silver Bell to last week's truly brilliant Oaks and Derby double.

"We have been very pleased with the quality of racing at Hamilton Park so far this season but the appearance of Ryan Moore gives tomorrow night some extra edge and excitement meaning this year's Lanark Silver Bell is definitely one for Scottish racing fans to savour.

"It's a very strong field overall which certainly reflects the rich history and importance of the trophy."

The Lanark Silver Bell Race Night is one of the most prestigious of Hamilton Park's season and the fixture has total prize-money of 64,500 across six races, which is second only to Braveheart Night across the whole season.

Reintroduced to Scottish racing in 2008, the Lanark Silver Bell race is thought to date back to the 12th century.

The physical Silver Bell trophy was first raced for in 1628 after it was gifted to the town by King William 'the Lion' of Scotland and is thought to be one of the oldest sporting trophies in existence in the world.

Gates for the Lanark Silver Bell fixture will open at 4.35pm with the first race taking place at 6.35pm. The Lanark Silver Bell race is scheduled for 8.05pm.

At Salisbury yesterday, Richard Hannon brought up his 250th winner at the track when Poltergeist and Chica Whopa struck at the Wiltshire venue.

Hannon's double when taking both divisions of the Castlepoint-sponsored seven-furlong maiden for three-year-olds also moved the East Everleigh handler on to the 74-winner mark for the season.

Poltergeist has long been held in high regard and he never gave supporters a moment's scare in division one.

The half-brother to 2000 Guineas second Vital Equine finished second in a hot maiden on his final start as a juvenile and needed minimum assistance from Richard Hughes to oblige as the 4-9 favourite.

Hannon said: "I am glad the ground came right as he had a few problems as a two-year-old. I have been careful with him after he picked up an injury last year and you'll see a much fitter horse next time. We'll see what the handicapper does but he could turn out to be a really nice horse."

Chica Whopa (6-1) then brought up the milestone success as the Irish import claimed the scalp of 4-5 favourite Give Your Verdict by a neck to complete the 9-1 brace.

The trainer's son and assistant, Richard Hannon jnr, commented: "We have always had a few horses for the Durkan family and I imagine she came to us after running out of opportunities in Ireland as their maidens are always hot."

Roger Charlton heaved a sigh of relief after the rain which soaked his Beckhampton base just ten miles away avoided the track, allowing 5-2 favourite Sea Of Heartbreak to complete a three-timer in the EBF Margadale Fillies' Handicap.

Charlton said: "If the ground has gone soft I wouldn't have run her but it is perfect really."

Mark Usher had no hesitation in snapping up Kieren Fallon to replace the sidelined Martin Dwyer aboard Honourable Knight, and the former champion repaid his faith by taking the opening six-furlong maiden. With Hindsight, the 7-2 favourite, shaded the advantage inside the distance but Fallon carried the popular 8-1 winner across the line for a head success.