Landmark Southwell win for Moore

A sleepy afternoon at Southwell at least provided a source of vitality for young jockey Jacob Moore today.

The 18-year-old was having just his second ride in public aboard Taikoo on an afternoon in which horses nearly outnumbered punters.

But the 7lb claimer soon quelled fears of his inexperience in the Membership of Southwell Golf Handicap to justify the conviction of his guv'nor, Hughie Morrison.

With 11-4 favourite Record Breaker having set a furious clip, Moore remained impassive, gauging the pace with the finesse of an old stager.

And once that rival began to falter, the willing Taikoo (7-1) seized full control, with two and a quarter lengths the winning distance.

Morrison said: "Jacob came to us in January and did that really well.

"On just his second ride, over a mile and six furlongs, he had every right to panic.

"But he kept his calm and in the end got there probably too early, which he can't be blamed for.

"We try to give all the young jockeys a chance, so hopefully it won't go to his head."

Cathy Gannon's positivity was also rewarded when Spic 'N Span claimed a sixth Southwell success in the 32Red Handicap.

Gannon followed to the letter the orders of trainer Ron Harris by ensuring the six-year-old was soon at the head of affairs.

Renowned front-runner Lucky Art was also handy from the outset, but Spic 'N Span had already flown and held on by a head.

Gannon said of the 7-1 winner: "Ron told me to take a few lengths out of them at the start and it worked."

Lightning Cloud's subsequent victory in the southwell-racecourse.co.uk Median Auction Maiden was marred by the death of X Rated.

Alan McCabe's three-year-old was put down after fracturing a fetlock when crossing the line in second place.

McCabe said: "The vets did a fantastic job with him.

"They were quickly on the scene and did everything they could."

The winner, trained by the in-form Kevin Ryan and ridden by Phillip Makin, was backed into 8-11 favouritism and eased nonchalantly clear by five lengths - despite showing traits of naivety inside the final furlong.

An eventful race also had bleak consequences for 5lb claimer James Rogers, who was slapped with a 10-day suspension for failing to ride to the finish aboard Mini's Destination.

The John Holt-trained filly came home fourth, a short head behind Precocious Kid.

Rogers will be sidelined between April 26 and May 5.

Makin was later denied a swift double when Ingleby Arch succumbed to Bonnie Prince Blue in the Play Golf Before Racing At Southwell Claiming Stakes.

Tom Queally had to work hard for his riding fee, however, as the James Given-trained winner was badly outpaced once the traps opened.

The 9-2 chance eventually hit his stride approaching the straight, and ploughed a lone furrow along the far rail to defeat the odds-on Ingleby Arch by two lengths.

Makin's chagrin lasted all of 30 minutes as Mitchum (7-2) later scooped top honours in the Golf And Racing At Southwell Maiden.

David Barron's debutant was seldom required into offensive action in seeing off Dougie Boy, the 15-8 favourite, by eight lengths.

Barron's daughter, Nicola, said: "He hits the ground quite hard, which is why we came here rather than run him on fast turf."

The trainer also struck gold in the closing Meals In The Pantry At Southwell Handicap as Jay Jays Joy (11-2) came home a five-length winner.

Postman (5-1) also shares an affinity towards the Southwell Fibresand, and illustrated the point with a determined success in the Dine In The Queen Mother Restaurant Handicap.