Hood enables Pepper Lane to win at Ripon

Unplaced in her three previous starts this term, the five-year-old mare bounced back to register her fourth win at her favourite track.

The 20-1 shot, trained near York by David O’Meara, was soon in front on the far side under Danny Tudhope and kept on strongly to score by a length-and-a-half from Tax Free.

“This year has been very tricky,” said O’Meara. “She kept missing the break, so we had no idea whether she was in form or not. She was giving her race away at the start.

“We’ve done a lot of work with her. I don’t know if the hood helped or not. They have become quite popular of late and it hasn’t done her any harm.

“A lot of credit has to go to the lads at home. She is very good on her day and she loves it here.”

O’Meara and Tudhope made it a brace when Miss Ellany (4-1) took the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF Fillies’ Handicap.

The Richard Fahey stable may have been out of luck with Alben Star in the feature, but still managed to chalk up a double with Grey Street and El Viento.

The latter got home on the far side to claim the consolation race for the Great St Wilfrid, the William Hill Silver Trophy Handicap.

Tony Hamilton produced the 12-1 shot at the right time to take it up after Damika had set the pace.

The 5-2 favourite Prodigality came flying on the near side and was just a short head down at the line – but many lengths clear of those on the same part of the course.

Hamilton said: “I thought I’d won a bit easier. I glanced across and thought I was further than a short head clear. Anyway, it went my way.”

Jimmy Quinn struck on his only mount at the North Yorkshire track when springing a 25-1 surprise on Fahey’s Grey Street in the From Epsom To Ripon All Done Maiden Auction Stakes.

The Tim Easterby-trained Mirrored (7-1) stormed home in the VW Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Handicap, while Mark Johnston’s Hyperlink (13-2) held Maybeagrey in the SIS Live Handicap.