Quinn hits headlines with Newz

Among his many talents, Mick Quinn certainly knows how to train a racehorse and his dash to Sandown from the studios of radio station Talksport paid dividends when Angus Newz ground out a second Listed-race success in the paddypowerpoker.com Scurry Stakes.

Outpaced in the early stages as some of her rivals set a fierce gallop, the 10-1 chance rallied from a wide position over a furlong out and shot past her rivals with 150 yards to run.

Keeping on well under Darryll Holland, Angus Newz beat Dixie Belle by two lengths as their opponents on the far rail were busy getting in each others way.

“I did the Breakfast Show this morning so it’s been a busy day already,” said ex-footballer Quinn, whose services as a television personality and radio pundit are as much in demand as those as a trainer.

“A lot of the experts were saying that she wouldn’t act on the good to firm ground but even though it’s quick it’s not rough like it was last week when she was well beaten at Haydock and she’d won on good to firm before.

“This stiff five furlongs suited her down to the ground and Darryll thinks she’s good enough to win a Group race.”

Holland went on to take the riding honours on the day with a double, completed aboard Ti Adora.

The 15-8 chance saw out the mile and three quarters of the Coutts Handicap well and has found a rich vein of form for trainer Paul d’Arcy.

Wavertree Warrior regained the winning thread under a fine ride from Jimmy Fortune in the opening event.

And the massed ranks of the partnership from the Wavertree Racing Club which owns the horse were on hand to welcome home the Nick Littmoden-trained four-year-old as he scored for the third time this season.

Fortune had the well-backed 5-1 co-favourite in a good position from the start and sent him up to challenge leader King’s Caprice with two furlongs of the seven-furlong RBS Handicap left to run.

Once hitting the front Wavertree Warrior kept on well to score by a length and a half from the staying-on Waterside.

“He stays this trip well and he stuck his neck out for me,” said Fortune. “I’d not ridden him before but I really like his attitude.”

Louie Louie, racing in the colours of former trainer Jack Banks, scored for the first time in almost a year when taking the paddypowercasino.com Handicap.

Well backed in the morning, the Neville Callaghan-trained gelding (11-2) stayed on strongly close home to collar the pacesetting Against The Grain in the very final strides.

Finishing just as quickly, Jimmy The Guesser got up for second a neck behind the winner and the same distance ahead of Against The Grain.

“For the first time, everything has come right this year,” said Simon Callaghan, assistant to his father.

“He loves quick ground and had come down a couple of pounds in the weights after being a bit unlucky once or twice.”

Michael Dods recovered from the disappointment of seeing his three runners at the course on Friday well beaten when Glasshoughton belatedly broke his duck in the five-furlong Lombard Handicap.

“It’s a relief to be off the unlucky 13-winner mark for the season,” said the Darlington trainer.

“I thought this horse was pretty decent last season and I’m a bit surprised it’s taken so long for him to win a race. But we lost our way with him a bit and hopefully this will help his confidence.”

Godolphin’s timely revival in form continued when Count Trevisio (5-1) took the paddypower.com Handicap under Kerrin McEvoy.