Treble justifies Fanning’s decision

The hat-trick was a further vindication of the longstanding Middleham-based jockey’s recent decision to team up with agent Niall Hannity in a bid to procure more outside rides when not required by Mark Johnston.

It is paying off handsomely, as reported in The Yorkshire Post on Saturday. Amralah is trained by Mick Channon and could now head to the Irish Champion Stakes after dictating the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes from the off and leaving Ryan Moore with too much to do on Sir Michael Stoute’s perennial runner-up Hillstar.

“We have always thought he was a good horse and he’s obviously improving,” said a delighted Channon.

“Joe has ridden for me a bit in the past and he’s always been great on front-runners, that’s why we got him. I don’t know what we’ll do now but he’s in the Irish Champion Stakes and the sky’s the limit.”

The day began with Fanning, now third to the aforementioned Moore and defending champion Richard Hughes in the title race, taking the Nursery Handicap with Squats for Skipton-born trainer William Haggas.

Yet it was the victory on the Haggas-trained Token Of Love in the Dick Hern Fillies’ Stakes that was the most satisfying as Fanning kept the pacesetters in his sights before striking and leaving a quality field, including the bitterly disappointing 1000 Guineas runner-up Lightning Thunder, trailing in their wake.

“Joe was alive to what was going on and he gave her a very nice ride. She really enjoyed that today. She picked up great and always looked in control. We always thought she wanted it really quick but that was just nice ground today,” said the trainer’s wife Maureen.

Richard Fahey’s Garswood, meanwhile, finally graduated to Grade One honours when landing yesterday’s Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

Partnered by Gerald Mosse over a rarely run trip of six and a half furlongs, the son of Dutch Art raced on the outside before getting better of a battle with Thawaany

Malton-based Fahey has never lost faith in Garswood who was winning for the first time since taking the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood just over 12 months ago, but soft ground is key. Meanwhile the trainer has retired his 2012 Lincoln winner Brae Hill after the handicapper sustained a career-ending injury at Ascot two weeks ago.

Qatar Racing-owned Flaming Spear is set to make the step up to Group Three level in the Pinsent Masons LLP Acomb Stakes at York later this month.

The Kevin Ryan-trained colt made quite a splash when winning a maiden on the Knavesmire in July for the Hambleton handler, earning quotes as low as 20-1 for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

John Gosden’s miler Kingman is set to test his credentials across the Channel in next weekend’s Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville after his electrifying win in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Disgraced North Yorkshire jockey Fergal Lynch, a racing pariah in Britain after he ‘stopped’ Bond City from winning at Ripon in August 2004, resumes his career at Ayr today.

Today’s all-weather card at Wolverhampton will see the first races on the Tapeta surface pioneered by one-time record-breaking Harewood trainer Michael Dickinson.