Darley rattles off fabulous four-timer
Kevin Darley stole the show with a superb 1587-1 four-timer on Brave Bear, Dispol Foxtrot, Regal Connection and Hearthstead Wings at a wet Hamilton.
Darley, who was champion jockey five years ago with 152 winners, was taking his tally for the year to 85.
After celebrating his first four-timer of the season he said: “It has been a good day, and the rain doesn’t get through the skin anyway.”
Brave Bear (9-2) got Darley off to a winning start in the Azure Handicap at the main expense of Brut, ridden by champion jockey Frankie Dettori, who was making his first visit to the Scottish track for more than five years.
Darley replaced the injured David Allan on the Tim Easterby-trained Brave Bear who ran out a length winner.
Things were a lot easier for course specialist Dispol Foxtrot (10-1) who burst clear in the closing stages of the £15,000 totequadpot Series Final Handicap to score by five lengths.
It was an emotional moment for Dispol Foxtrot’s trainer Vicky Scott, who said: “I am so pleased for the mare, this is her sixth course win and her second for me – she certainly deserved it.
“Kevin has always got on well with her, he rode her when she gave me my first Flat winner at Haydock in April, and he was well worth the 3lb overweight.”
Scott, who has a team of 12, added: “It is a relief as we have not had a winner for a while, but hopefully things will pick up now and I am looking forward to running Little Sport.
“My father (Andy) rated him very highly, he finished eighth to Hardy Eustace in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival.
“He has not run since April that year, but he seems well and we are aiming at the Dipper Chase.”
It was a desperately close call for Regal Connection in the EBF Median Auction Maiden Stakes, but enough was a feast for the Mark Johnston-trained filly as the 5-2 favourite got home by a short head from Opera Comic.
Johnston’s assistant Jock Bennett said: “She did not have much to spare, but I think it may have been a better race than it looked on paper.
“I am delighted for her owners Claire Riordan and Kieran Coughlan, they are so enthusiastic and they have Prince Of Light running in the Middle Park at Newmarket on Friday.”
There was no need for a photo-finish to the totepool Free £5 Bet Buttonhook Handicap which was run in torrential rain, as Hearthstead Wings (13-2), carrying the colours of Hearthstead Homes Ltd, bolted in by 12 lengths.
Added Bennett: “He had good form as a two-year-old and he had run well last time at Doncaster.”
Nick Bazeley, 22, will always be grateful Hughie Morrison’s grand old campaigner Kylkenny (6-1), who provided him with his first success at Pontefract in April and carried him to victory again in the toteexacta Apprentice Series Handicap Final.
Saleem Golam sprained an ankle when Maneki Neko slipped up and fell after a half a mile and he had to give up his remaining ride, but he hopes to be back in action on Wednesday.
Morrison had earlier initiated a 34-1 double when Ruby Rocket (4-1), visored for the first time, gave Paul Hanagan his first success for the East Ilsley trainer in the Sam Collingwood-Cameron Conditions Stakes.
Said Hanagan: “Ruby Rocket travelled well from the start and I did not want to disappoint her, so I let her stride along and she quickened up well when I asked her.”
The totesport.com Maiden Stakes, the final race at the Scottish course this season, went the way of John Gosden’s 8-11 shot Borouj, ridden by Willie Supple.
