Channon scores victory in OLBG Spring Cup at Newbury

WEST Ilsley trainer Jack Channon scored his second big win at Newbury on Saturday.

Metal Merchant held off favourite Godwinson to win the £70,000 OLBG Spring Cup.

It follows Johan’s won the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood last year and maintained an excellent start to his training career having taken over from his father – former England footballer Mick – last summer.

He told the Racing Post: “I was quietly confident he’d run a nice race but in these big handicaps you can be on the wrong side and all sorts, but that was a very smart performance.

“He’s going to be a nice horse to go for those big mile handicaps.”

The first Flat meeting of the season – the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials – provided plenty of action for the crowds.

Hungerford jockey Tom Marquand was also celebrating after steering Hamish to victory in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes.

That meant Hamish became just the seventh horse to win a Group-race in Britain aged eight or older.

Hamish, trained by William Haggas, triumphed in a three-way tussle to the line, getting the better of Al Qareem and Salt Bay.

He was cut to 33-1 for the Group 1 Coronation Cup, but is likely to try to defend the Ormonde Stakes at Chester next.

Marquand and Haggs were back in the winners’ circle soon after as 4-6 favourite Economics won the mile maiden stakes.

One of the performances of the day came in the Greenham Stakes, where 16-1 shot Esquire pulled off a shock victory.

Trained by David O’Meara and ridden by Danny Tudhope, Esquire powered to an impressive win ahead of El Bodon, ridden by Marquand.

Marquand’s wife Hollie Doyle also clinched victory at Newbury.

Riding 5-1 shot Folgaria, she won the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3).