Cecil over the moon

Henry Cecil's renaissance has every chance of lasting until 2008 as his Twice Over displayed obvious Classic potential at Newmarket.

Light Shift's victory in the Oaks ended Cecil's seven-year barren spell in the season's major races and a first success in the Derby since 1999 will be on the agenda for this unbeaten son of Observatory.

The legendary trainer had nominated the 10-furlong bet365 Zetland Conditions Stakes for Twice Over ever since he made a winning debut at the track last month and he was ridden patiently by Richard Hughes at the back of a field led by Planetarium.

The 4-5 favourite took a little time to get going, but was not asked too many questions as he pulled away smartly for pressure to win by a comfortable length and a half.

Coral cut him to 20-1 for the Derby, while totesport go 25s.

"The ground is very loose out there," said Cecil. "He came from a long way back, but won it easily really.

"He's out of an own-sister to Passage Of Time and is still a backward baby, but hopefully something to look forward to.

"I'm not sure what to do next year.

"He may need further. You could run him in a Derby trial, but he'll tell us what he needs."

Barry Hills is sorry to see the back of Mashaahed, who signed off in the Listed bet365 Call 08000 322365 James Seymour Stakes.

Hills' son Richard excels from the front and the 9-4 shot had just enough in reserve over 8-11 favourite Fairmile.

"He's a kind horse, although he doesn't like being hit," said Hills senior.

"My wife was in tears when she heard he was going, but he's off to a new trainer for the Dubai Carnival."

The bet365 Ben Marshall Stakes went to the hardy Irish mare Jalmira (8-1), thanks to a fine bit of planning by trainer Charlie Swan and team, and she came home strongly to turn over Tell and Caldra.

A delighted Sean Dalton, part of owners the Green Dragon Syndicate, reported: "That's her seventh win and we have to give a special tribute to Charlie and jockey Billy Lee.

"We came looking for a bit of black type, as there's not much left in Ireland, and she's really brought it home."

There were two informative divisions of the bet365 EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes, but despite finishing in a slower time, division two's winner Infallible (11-2) looked most interesting.

John Gosden was notably upbeat about this daughter of Pivotal, who still looked a little green but careered away by a length and three-quarters under Jimmy Fortune.

"She would have been out earlier but she came up with a sore shin," said Gosden.

"She always works like a nice filly and a mile will be no problem. I would not be frightened of giving her a smart entry or two."

Blue Square introduced Infallible at 25-1 for the Stan James 1000 Guineas.

Brian Meehan took division one with 20-1 shot La Coveta, who was again united with Steve Drowne following her debut seventh at Warwick.

She moved strongly into contention over a furlong out and although Gosden's Dar Re Mi picked up eye-catchingly in the final strides, the winner had a neck in hand.

"I liked her at Warwick - she got outpaced and came good towards the end," said Drowne.

"I was not sure she was good enough to win a maiden at Newmarket but there was no doubt about it and she was just idling in front."

Meehan also picked up the Listed bet365.com EBF Montrose Fillies' Stakes with the quite well-backed and also unbeaten Classic Legend (11-2) doggedly scraping home with Ian Mongan in a five-way tussle.

Meehan reported: "She was in front too soon last time and it was a little bit the same here. I'd say she's pretty smart and you'd look in the direction of the Oaks trials now."

Roger Teal's Purus (11-2) was ridden out to take the bet365 Handicap, while Tom Queally was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital for precautionary scans when his intended mount Kenmore reared up on him in the paddock.

Very Wise (7-1) came right back to form with a clear-cut victory in the Bet365 Best Odds Guaranteed On Every Race Handicap under a power-packed Fortune ride.