Crisfords revel in their Finest Sound triumph at Haydock

Simon and Ed Crisford recorded their first winner as a training partnership when Finest Sound bolted up at Haydock.

A tweak to the rules means more than one name is now allowed on the training licence in Britain – following in the footsteps of countries such as Australia, where it has been commonplace for a number of years.

While the Crisfords missed out on being the first duo to record a winner in Britain to Paul and Oliver Cole by a matter of days, they at least have a Royal Ascot candidate on their hands.

Finest Sound (100-30 favourite) had run well behind the very promising Palace Pier on debut last year at Sandown and was gelded and had his wind tweaked over the winter.

He looked in a different league to his rivals in the first division of the Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap, winning by five and a half lengths under Andrea Atzeni.

Simon Crisford said: “It’s fantastic to have our first winner with a joint-licence and we’re delighted with his performance.”

Of the new arrangement he added: “Nothing has really changed with our operation since taking the joint-licence, but it’s good to spread the responsibility and accountability. It’s a very good initiative by the BHA and I’m sure plenty of people will do it.

“We have a stable in Meydan in the winter, so it made perfect sense for us to take the joint licence as we can’t be in two places at once.”

Moon King (2-1 favourite) was one of the success stories of last season for Ralph Beckett and there is no sign that his progression has stopped just yet as he reappeared with another win in the Betway Handicap.

Arch Moon (5-2 favourite) looks a likely improver for Michael Dods following a cosy victory in the second division of Finest Sound’s race.

Second twice last season, the son of German Derby winner Sea The Moon was also going to improve stepped up in trip.

Brian Meehan has set his sights on a trip to Royal Ascot with Talbot following his debut success at Lingfield.

Sent off at 4-1 for the five-furlong British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, the Oisin Murphy-ridden Gleneagles colt showed a smart turn of foot to beat 11-10 favourite Jojo Rabbit by a length and three-quarters.

Manton trainer Meehan said: “He has been doing very, very well, so a big one (run) was expected. Provided he comes out of the race OK, he’ll go to Ascot. Oisin was very complimentary of him after the race.”

Roger Varian can begin to become more ambitious with his plans for Fooraat following her wide-margin victory in the second division of the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Chelmsford.

Few winners are likely to be as impressive at the Essex track this year as the daughter of Nahrain – who was the Newmarket handler’s first ever Group One winner – after she took her rivals apart in the mile event to maintain her unbeaten record.

Carrying a penalty for a debut success at Newcastle in October failed to prevent the full-sister to multiple Group One winner Benbatl going in by seven lengths under David Egan, to complete a double for Varian.

The Newmarker handler said of the 11-8 winner: “Fooraat put up a classy performance and all the options are on the table for her, including at Royal Ascot, where there is the Coronation Stakes.”

There was further success for 2017 champion apprentice Egan as he steered the Mick Channon-trained Queen Of Silca (6-1) home by a nose in the Chelmsford Handicap.

Angel Power (7-2) may not have been as impressive as her stablemate Fooraat, but the Lope De Vega filly also appears to have a bright future after taking division one of Fooraat’s race riddent bythree-times champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa.

He was another to bag a brace on the card, after Tone The Barone (evens) proved a length and three-quarters too strong for his rivals to complete a hat-trick in the Sandon Handicap.