Huxaar takes surprise Beverley win
Linda Stubbs further advertised her competence with juveniles when Huxaar caused a minor stir in the Beverley rain today.
Overwhelming market vibes indicated Chilly Filly, the 2-5 favourite, would turn the Edward Frost "Sorry" Maiden Auction Stakes into a cakewalk.
Stubbs had other ideas, and plotted a no-nonsense two-and-a-quarter-length reverse upon Mark Johnston's labouring runner.
The Malton handler has this term enjoyed considerable success with Listed scorer Saxford - one of four two-year-olds from her small operation, including Huxaar, to have hit the target in 2008.
"He loves this ground and just keeps galloping," Stubbs said of her Beverley winner, who was returned at odds of 4-1.
"There are not many races for him, but he does stay over a mile a half.
"He'll go to the October Horses in Training Sales (at Newmarket) later this year - he'll make someone a nice jumper."
Rejuvenated trainer Alan Berry was back in the winner's enclosure when Wicked Wilma ploughed through the deteriorating ground to land the opening Fiona's Significant Birthday Handicap.
Although the meeting survived a precautionary inspection two hours before racing, the testing conditions proved no hindrance to Berry's filly.
Given a confident ride from Slade O'Hara, the 9-1 shot galloped down the centre of the track to take the five-furlong skirmish by a length and a quarter.
"She can handle this ground but with one thing or another, she's been a bit unlucky this season," reported the Lancashire-based handler.
Berry has made great strides this term, largely due to Group Three-winning filly Look Busy.
"She's been a great flag-bearer for us and as long as it's not too heavy, she will be going to Chester for a Listed race at the weekend," added the handler.
"There's also a race to consider at Newbury the week after."
Rainbow Mirage (9-2) cast aside a substandard display at Great Leighs to win the Bay, Filey, Premier Coastal Holiday Village Handicap.
Ed McMahon's four-year-old finished well down the field on his latest all-weather start - but was in his element in East Yorkshire.
A combination of the bog-like ground and the draining Beverley incline helped Rainbow Mirage, ridden by Graham Gibbons, record a one-length call over Exit Smiling.
"He wanted a stiff track like this," reflected McMahon's travelling head lead, Max Geldard.
"We ran him at Great Leighs last time but he ran out of steam and did not enjoy himself.
"He likes this heavy ground and wasn't stopping at the line."
Brian Ellison endured a blank August but his yard is clearly back in rude health judged by Woteva's decisive triumph in the George Swiers "The Taxman" Nursery.
The Malton trainer clocked up his third win in the early throes of September when the Kyllachy filly (11-2) drew clear of her flagging rivals to win by two and a quarter lengths.
"It just went a bit flat in August - myself included," reasoned Ellison.
"But we're back among the winners again and things are thankfully going well."
Of Woteva, Ellison added: "She's very tough and we'll probably go to Ayr next for a nursery over a mile."
Lake Chini supplemented Sunday's win at Thirsk with the gold medal in the Simon Wood "The Messenger" Handicap, while Bollin Freddie held on in a cracking finish to the concluding Sawfish Software Lady Riders' Handicap.
