Temple backs up faith

Inexperience was no barrier to Temple Meads as Ed McMahon's well-regarded two-year-old came of age in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury.

The 200,000 dash for cheaply-purchased youngsters usually goes the way of a streetwise type, more than often trained by Richard Hannon, but Temple Meads was the only horse in yesterday's large field to have raced only once before.

A hitch in the colt's preparation caused McMahon to jettison Royal Ascot plans after he won at Newmarket in early May and owner John Fretwell would very much like to see him compete at Pattern level from now on.

Punters were relying on potential rather than concrete evidence as to Temple Meads' ability but the 5-1 shot had all the answers as he crept along near the far rail under Richard Mullen and pounced on eventual runner-up Bold Bidder with about 100 yards remaining. A length separated the pair at the post.

Hannon, seeking his eighth Super Sprint success with half-a-dozen challengers, managed no better than 10th with 7-2 favourite Reckless Reward, reflecting: "They just weren't quick enough".

Staffordshire-based McMahon said: "He had one or two little problems but he came right about five or six weeks ago.

"I was a bit worried whether that would be enough time as he's a big-topped horse but he's very professional.

"He has the Gimcrack entry and I think we'll go there now. A step up to six furlongs wouldn't be a problem.

"He's is the best horse I've ever had."

The afternoon was the central point of the three-day Dubai Summer Festival, which combines some top-quality Arabian racing on Sunday with two segments for thoroughbreds.

Those present were able to experience a Group One winner strutting his stuff as Regal Parade (15-2) issued an unambiguous reminder of his talents in the Shadwell Stakes.

Dandy Nicholls' muscular chestnut, who would dwarf his Arabian cousins, claimed the Haydock Sprint Cup last autumn but had failed to deliver on both starts this season at Meydan and Royal Ascot.

Events held on easier ground are Regal Parade's mtier and with rain in Berkshire leaving the conditions described as good, good to soft in places, he left his rivals treading water en-route to an impressive three-length victory under the trainer's son Adrian.

Nicholls senior said: "He just needs that juice in the ground and he had been struggling under that Group One penalty."

There was adequate compensation for Hannon, who helped complete a memorable afternoon for Mullen, when Red Badge (28-1) wore down Distant Memories in the Listed Shadwell Beech House Stud Stakes.

Hannon and Ryan Moore had earlier combined through the unbeaten Measuring Time (evens favourite) in the Harold Pack Memorial Conditions Stakes. The juvenile will now have a six-week break as he is still considered weak.

David Simcock trained the winner and the third in the Bathwick Tyres EBF Handicap as First City took the main honours and What's Up Pussycat the minor ones.

First City (8-1) and Hayley Turner were involved in some barging with runner-up Gobama in the closing stages but the stewards upheld her verdict of a neck.

"I'd be very surprised if she can't win a Listed race this season," said Simcock.