Entice's win confirms she is above average

SHEIKH MOHAMMED'S homebred filly Entice delighted her connections at Pontefract yesterday when stepping up successfully into Listed company with a narrow but impressive victory in the Tote Silver Tankard Stakes.

The daughter of Selkirk had looked an above average juvenile when opening her account in a seven furlongs race at Salisbury 19 days earlier, and she confirmed that opinion when pitted against five previous winners here on what was only her third outing.

Ridden with great confidence by Michael Hills, Entice, 5 to 2 joint favourite, produced a devastating turn of foot to collar Fahris in the closing stages and snatch a neck verdict with the other joint market leader Symonds Inn just half a length further back in third.

Entice was providing Michael's father Barry with his 32nd juvenile winner this year but the trainer did not make the journey north from his Lambourn base.

However, Michael was clearly impressed with the performance although be admitted: "She was Just struggling a bit in that ground. It was nowhere near the good going they advertised."

Paul Morrison, Sheikh Mohammed's northern representative, said: "This filly is still just taking her time to learn. It was the same when Pat Eddery rode her to win at Salisbury last time.

"I am sure Barry will look forward to next year with her I would imagine that would be it as far as this season is concerned."

The Hills father and son team went on to complete a 27 to 1 double an hour later with Lepikha who came with a similar late surge to overhaul Onefourseven close home and score by one and a quarter lengths in the two and a quarter mile Bluff Cove Handicap, losing her maiden tag in the process.

The Hills duo had high hopes of completing a hat trick with heavily backed Julietta Mia (11 to 4 down to 7 to 4 favourite) in the Broomfield Nursery but they were thwarted by the Mark Johnston trained Double Espresso who was kicked into a clear lead by Michael Roberts turning into the home straight and went on to record an emphatic three and a half length triumph.

Frankie Dettori travelled north for six mounts but had to settle for just one visit to the winner's enclosure - after delivering Reg Hollinshead's Maradata home with three quarters of a length to spare over 6 to 1 favourite Mansur in the Clayton Bigley Partnership Handicap.