Much more for Muir to cheer this year

Willie Muir experienced plenty of ’seconditis’ at this time last year but admitted after We Have A Dream’s gutsy triumph in Folkestone’s Bet Romania v France – Betdaq Handicap that the cards are falling in his favour this time around.

The trainer’s son-in-law Martin Dwyer squeezed the 5-2 chance home by a head from Tyfos, and Muir commented: “Thankfully the tight finishes seem to be going our way and this fellow is as tough as they come.

“When Kerrin McEvoy won on him at Leicester he said he’s one of the toughest he’d ever ridden.”

Muir also had news on Saphira’s Fire who became wound-up before the Oaks, where she finished 10th.

He added: “As I was saddling her she reared up and slipped. She was perfectly OK but slipped in the race and was never really in it.

“Big Robert came back sore from his run in the Coronation Cup in which he kept locking his stifles. I think we’ll have to do something to try to rectify the problem.”

Don Cantillon is bang on course for a career-best tally after Wizard Looking took the trainer’s current haul to 15 with a game success under Richard Hughes in the Bet Holland v Italy – Betdaq Handicap.

On what proved a profitable day for favourite-backers, the 2-1 chance came out best in a race of changing fortunes in the short home straight, leading a furlong out and repelling Mid Valley by three-quarters of a length.

Now Cantillon will keep his fingers crossed the seven-year-old pulls out sound.

He explained: “He has fragile legs and broke down before he came to me. He’s doing his owners proud with three wins from six runs this season.

“We managed 22 winners for the whole of last year, but have never had so many on the board at this early stage.”

William Haggas is a rare visitor to the Westenhanger course and those who took the hint when he saddled Mont Cervin in the Make It Pay At Betdaq Median Auction Maiden Stakes were rewarded with a 12-1 winner.

One of two horses Haggas trains for former trainer Charles Cyzer, Mont Cervin made all under Eddie Ahern and kept finding more to repel odds-on Pediment by a length and a quarter.

Haggas said: “He’s quite a nice tall horse and I thought Eddie gave him a beautiful ride. He’s quite gassy and hadn’t settled in his previous two starts for me. Mr Cyzer’s other one, Flower, runs tomorrow.”

Michael Wigham’s Thoughtsofstardom landed some good bets when getting up close home under Kelly Harrison to beat Fastrac Boy and Regal Royale a head and a neck in the Eastwell Manor Handicap.

It was a further head back to the fourth, Azygous, in what amounted to a blanket finish.

Sub Prime became Jamie Osborne’s third winner from his last three runners when making all under Shane Kelly to take the seller.

The Cath Walwyn-owned colt was retained without a bid at the auction.

The concluding Stone Of Folca Handicap went to the locally-trained 10-1 chance Shabahar, who stayed-on strongly down the centre of the track under Pat Cosgrave to score by a length and three-quarters from Princess Lavinia.