Lil Sophella wins at Hamilton Park after bump
LIL SOPHELLA was the winner of a dramatic Cadzow Castle Fillies’ Handicap at Hamilton Park after she was awarded the race in the stewards’ room.
Patrick Mathers-ridden Miss Van Gogh had passed the post a head in front of the Patrick Holmes-trained mare but the placings were reversed due to interference caused inside the final furlong by Mathers who was suspended for three days for careless riding.
Ailsa Stirling whose mother owns Lil Sophella, said: “She was only beaten a nose dive days ago and if we had a yard full of horses like her I’d be very happy. We thought there was a chance we’d get the race after we saw the head on replay.”
Alan Berry and Mathers had earlier teamed up to record a 305/1 double. Economic Crisis (8/1), posting her seventh course success, stormed to victory in the Racing To School Handicap, while I’ll Be Good (33/1) took the Avon Gorge Handicap just 30 minutes later.
Keith Dalgleish and Phillip Makin struck in the St Andrews Ambulance Handicap with Neuf Des Cours who led home a Scottish clean sweep with Haymarket second for Galston’s Mike Smith and Galilee Chapel third for Hawick-based Alistair Whillans. The Dalgleish stable completed an 84/1 double in the concluding Book Now For The Saints And Sinners Handicap with Moon Arc partnered by P J McDonald.
At Sandown today, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Consort looks the part for the Cantor Fitzgerald Corporate Finance Heron Stakes. He has raced just once, winning a maiden on the Rowley Mile back in September. Making all in the hands of Ryan Moore, the Lope De Vega colt was firmly in command at the finish. A genuine Guineas/Derby prospect going into this season, a setback held him up but Royal Ascot beckons if all goes to plan.
SELECTIONS
Haydock
1:50 Count Montecristo
2:20 Saturn Lace
2:50 Hyland Heather
3:20 Eltezam
3:50 Signore Piccolo
4:20 Retro Valley
4:50 Merchant Of Medici
Lingfield
2:00 Down To Earth
2:30 Skidby Mill
3:00 New Style
3:30 Ejbaar
4:00 Ryan Style
4:30 Rampers
5:00 Injun Sands
5:30 My Anchor
Sandown
6:00 Correggio
6:35 Areen
7:10 Vent De Force
7:45 Tryster
8:15 Consort (nap)
8:45 Tigers Tale
Wetherby
5:40 Promanco
6:10 Rathlin Rose
6:45 Ballykan
7:20 Roseville Cottage
7:55 Cut The Corner
8:25 Drom
8:55 Saver
Worcester
2:10 Bang On Time
2:40 Seacon Beg
3:10 Bendomingo
3:40 Battle Master
4:10 Tanerko Emery
4:40 Gioia Di Vita
5:10 Today Please
5:45 Steps And Stairs
Double
Tryster
7:45 Sandown Consort
8:15 Sandown