Star turn at Southwell

Komreyev Star, who ended Ray Peacock’s seven-year wait for a winner at Southwell a month ago, ensured the next one would not be quite so long in coming by repeating the trick over the same course and distance.

After a disappointing follow-up effort over a longer distance, the return to a mile in the Kids Are Always Happy Pontin’s Handicap proved just the ticket for the six-year-old.

And appropriately it was Jimmy Quinn who teamed up with the veteran trainer to force the 15-2 shot home by a neck from Louisiade.

Peacock’s wife Carmen said: “I’m just so excited – I feel like I have ridden him myself I’m so exhausted.

“We tried him over a mile and a half last time and he seemed to get a bit stressed and just didn’t get the trip.

“We nearly didn’t run but Jimmy said the race was cutting up a bit and we really should.

“Jimmy was the first on the phone to Raymond when we had the winner a month ago and he used to ride a lot for the owner Garry Whittaker. It’s just a wonderful day.”

Roy Brotherton feels he has finally mastered Cape Of Storms, who was previously without a win in 23 despite posting a number of decent efforts.

For a moment in the home straight of the Croc Makes Holidays Rock Pontin’s Maiden Stakes, it looked like the long-absent Frisbee was the one to spoil the party as he drew alongside.

But the even-money favourite proved just a little too good and obliged by a length and a quarter, helped by Philip Makin against Frisbee’s less experienced rider Robbie Egan.

“Everyone has been saying it has been a long wait for him to win, but I bought him from Mick Channon and we had both been running him over seven furlongs and a mile for a long time,” said Brotherton.

“I even ran him over a mile-and-one. However, he’s clearly a sprinter and this was only his fifth start over six furlongs for me.

“He’s been unlucky on several occasions too and this should give him a lot of confidence.

“He should be well-handicapped and I will probably have him out next week.”

Reg Hollinshead’s Garlogs, who seems to be much-improved since returning from knee surgery, snapped up his second victory from three comeback runs in the Brilliant Blue Coats Pontin’s Handicap.

Savile’s Delight, expected to be a warm order, drifted out to 7-2 and was never a threat in third as Russell Kennemore made every yard of the five furlongs on Garlogs (9-2).

Egyptian Lord refused to enter the stalls, which resulted in the application of a relatively hefty deduction for all bets.

The runners for the Back Or Lay At Betdaq Selling Stakes boasted just one previous win between them.

Novestar (9-2), out of luck in 11 previous efforts, was rarely going to find an easier opportunity to get his head in front.

And he doggedly fought off 6-5 favourite Spitfire Jane to win for owner-trainer Graham Smith and rider Jamie Jones.

Paul Blockley completed a shrewd piece of business as Came Back (evens favourite) won with ease on his debut for the yard in the Race Ahead With Zena Pontin’s Claiming Stakes.

The Bet FA Cup – Betdaq Handicap was also taken in bloodless fashion by Mid Valley (4-1), while Dreams Jewel caused a 22-1 surprise in the Andrew Woodward’s 50th Birthday Celebrations Handicap for handler Craig Roberts.