Hall comes good for Johnson

Hallingdal got favourite-backers off to a good start at Newcastle when opening her account at the first attempt in the Weatherbys Bank/EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes in the hands of Royston French today.

The Mark Johnston-trained daughter of Halling, who carries the colours of Sheikh Mohammed, was a 7-4 chance but approaching halfway her supporters had cause for concern.

She was running very green and showing her inexperience on this her racecourse bow.

But she then started to get the hang of things and made up ground in good style in the last quarter-mile to lead inside the final furlong and go three and a half lengths clear of Ice Choice.

Ffrench said: "She was very green and fell out of the stalls, but the penny gradually began to drop and she picked up well - I would think there is more to come from her."

Seb Sanders extended his lead over Jamie Spencer in the championship race when the William Haggas-trained Collection made short work of his rivals in the Persimmon Homes Maiden Stakes.

Collection had shown promise on his debut at Salisbury and was a 4-9 chance on the strength of that effort.

Owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, he travelled well for Sanders and was pushed out to pass the post with three and a half lengths to spare over Solar Spirit in the seven-furlong test.

Sanders was taking his score to 160, a lead of four over Spencer, who does not ride today, in the battle for the title which ends on November 10.

Umpa Loompa opened his account in game fashion at the 10th attempt under Silvestre de Sousa in the Lycetts Handicap.

The David Nicholls-trained 8-1 chance was sent to the front from the outset in the six-furlong dash.

He was strongly challenged in the final 150 yards by Obe Royal but stuck to his task well and still had a head to spare where it mattered.