Blockley notches another double

PAUL BLOCKLEY, who trains on the course, has made a fine start to the year and he completed his second double in consecutive days at Southwell yesterday.

Hurricane Coast and Lucayan Monarch were both well ridden by Dean McKeown.

Hurricane Coast, who had completed Sunday's brace, was coaxed to victory again in the Bet Direct Press Red To Bet Claiming Stakes and has proved a bargain.

Blockley said: "That is his third win for us, so he is not bad for the money he cost 2,500gns (out of the Tim Easterby stable at Doncaster in October)."

However, the gelding was later claimed for £6,000 by Lingfield-based trainer David Flood.

Lucayan Monarch came out best in the littlewoodscasino.com Selling Stakes and this time fortune favoured Blockley as there was no bid for his charge at the ensuing auction.

He said: "He is our pet. Things are going well that is seven winners since Christmas, and I hope we can keep it going."

David Barron, fresh from his best season in 2003, gained his second success of the current term when Penwell Hill, ridden by Dean Mernagh, ran out a fortunate winner of the betdirect.co.uk Handicap.

Flambe looked to have the race won when he broke down badly in the closing stages and was subsequently put down.

Mernagh was, however, suspended for two days (January 16 and 17) for using his whip with excessive frequency in the final two furlongs.