Buick makes winning return at Lingfield

William Buick made the best possible return to riding in Britain by winning on his first mount of 2012 in the Bet At Blue Square Maiden Stakes at Lingfield this afternoon.

The top-level jockey has been in action in the UAE during the winter but with the domestic Flat season now hotting up, he was given the leg-up on Dark Stranger (4-1) for his boss John Gosden.

Benbecula had been giving Kieran O'Neill a difficult time by hanging around the first bend but had still accumulated a decent lead into the home straight, only to be worn down in the final strides by Buick.

"He's green but he did it well and will improve on that," said Buick.

Asked whether Dark Stranger would get further than this 10 furlongs, the jockey added: "He's not bred to."

Richard Hannon tends to reintroduce a good colt in the Listed bluesquare.com Spring Cup and this year it was the turn of Gusto.

The champion trainer has won this seven-furlong prize with Paco Boy and Dubawi Gold in recent times and his son and assistant, Richard junior, suggested Group prizes would be within the son of Oasis Dream's capabilities.

Ryan Moore set a steady pace on the 9-4 favourite Gusto and although Kenny Powers was bearing down on him and only a length behind at the post, the winner appeared to have matters in hand.

"He did it very well, especially under penalty," said Hannon junior.

"I was wondering who was going to suggest the Jersey Stakes first and happily it was Ryan.

"That's still a long time away and I'm sure we'll find something else now. He's obviously improving big-time and I think seven furlongs is as far as he wants at the moment as he's speedy."

Alan McCabe has an eye on Royal Ascot for his Get Your Bet On At Blue Square Hever Sprint Stakes winner Fratellino (11-1).

Twice second at the course over six furlongs already this year, the chestnut was cherry-ripe for the drop down to the minimum distance and was kept close to the pace by Martin Harley.

He put his stamp on proceedings deep into the home straight, with Spirit Quartz closing the gap to half a length at the post.

Group One hero Borderlescott beat only one home on his return from injury but essentially still ran promisingly.

"We tried an experiment at Wolverhampton last time which didn't work and he basically just wants a quicker surface, and he could do better on the grass," said McCabe.

"We've always wanted him to be a Wokingham horse so hopefully he'll get in this year."

Premio Loco (5-1) improved his great record on the all-weather by landing the Blue Square Winter Derby for Chris Wall and George Baker.

Winning for the sixth time from 10 starts on an artificial surface, he was touched off in the 2009 renewal, his only other attempt at the 10-furlong trip.

Baker had him settled just behind the pace-setting Our Joe Mac in the perfect position to launch his challenge.

Cai Shen was forced very wide coming around the bend, giving away valuable ground, but he still had a chance inside the final furlong.

Circumvent was another to challenge close home but Premio Loco saw out the trip well to win by half a length from Cai Shen with a head back to Circumvent.

George Guru has made no end of progress in Michael Attwater's care and hit a new height when decimating his opponents in the Get Your Bets On At Blue Square Handicap.

Not out of the first two in his last six starts, the 13-8 favourite was ridden confidently by Mark Coumbe to come a length and three-quarters clear of Axiom.

George Guru is owned by former trainer Buck Jones, and his current handler said "I knew he had a favourite's chance but I didn't expect him to win like that.

"The idea is to run him in the Spring Cup at Newbury and if he keeps improving like he has, who knows how far he'll go."