Ferguson has colt to follow

Alex Ferguson’s red and white colours have not been seen too often in the winner’s enclosure since the days of Rock Of Gibraltar, but that could soon come to an end after a promising debut from Adversity at Lingfield.

The Manchester United manager still part-owns the odd horse these days, but he has this Oasis Dream colt all to himself and sent him to his fellow knight Sir Michael Stoute.

Adversity (10-1) could only manage second to Luca Cumani’s Sky Dive (6-1) in the EBF Maiden Stakes at the Surrey circuit but got himself together nicely in the closing stages and was beaten just a length.

There were a couple of other reasonable events on a mixed card, with Godolphin’s unraced three-year-old Gold Sovereign setting a good time in winning division one of the Kingston Smith LLP Challenge Maiden.

The 5-2 shot strode away with a fair bit of authority in the final furlong, with rider Ted Durcan remarking: “It rode like a nice race and he’s a big, scopey horse.

“He had a lovely attitude – I liked him.”

Division two went to Jeremy Noseda’s Rhyming Slang (5-2 joint-favourite), who was another ready winner following a runner-up placing at Windsor last time.

Noseda’s wife Sally said: “We’re just pleased he got his head in front really, but on that, he should win again.”

Jamie Jones was welcomed back by his owner-father Norman after riding his first winner in a while in the Lingfield Park For Conferences Selling Stakes.

Aboard the Gary Moore-trained 11-8 favourite Lord Of Dreams, he stayed on well in the closing stages to beat a couple of other gambled-on rivals.

Jones senior said: “Jamie just got a bit disillusioned with the game and gave up about six months ago.

“He’s been back riding out for about six weeks and he just needs the breaks.”