Channon celebrates in style

Mick Channon sent out his first juvenile winner of the new campaign as Thunder Bay came home best of all in the lingfieldpark.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Sam Hitchcott's mount is related to some speedy types and showed the most dash in the five-furlong sprint.

A blanket could have been thrown over the field entering the closing stages but Channon's 7-2 shot possessed the best finishing kick and kept on along the far rail to score by half-a-length from Only In Jest.

James Babbs of the winning syndicate, the Abercrombie Partnership, said: "We were hopeful but you never know what you are going to come up against in these races, but he has been pleasing Mick on the gallops."

Barry Hills celebrated his 70th birthday with a winner as Mandragola (9-2) produced a power-packed turn of foot to land the Entertain At Lingfield Park Maiden Stakes.

The 2-1 favourite Norman The Great set sail for home passing the furlong post in the mile-and-a-quarter race, but was gunned down in the closing stages by Hills' colt.

Dane O'Neill's mount came storming through, having been held up early on, for a tidy half-length victory.

Hills' travelling head lad Geoff Snook said: "Barry has got all of his family with him today to celebrate and he will be pleased to have a winner.

"The horse ran once last year over seven furlongs but is bred to get further.

"He is still babyish but has the potential to be OK."

Richard Hughes partnered his first winner since taking third aboard Youmzain in Dubai on Saturday night as the Richard Hannon-trained Crystal Gazer collected in the Lingfield Park Golf Club Handicap.

The filly was having her first start for 198 days but was wound up to maximum effect as she flew down the centre of the course to deny 11-8 favourite Sohraab.

Half a length separated the pair at the line in the six-furlong contest with Blue Charm the same distance away in third.

Hannon's son and assistant, Richard, said of the 7-1 winner: "She wasn't finishing her races last year but she looks much stronger this season.

"She has been working very well and has really come to hand.

"She is French bred so her owners are keen to go and race there to get the Breeders' Premiums."