KEMPTON SATURDAY

WILLIAM Haggas has his team in good form with the turf season now underway but talented five-year old Our Channel may well concentrate on the all-weather after winning Kempton’s Listed ApolloBet Magnolia Stakes on Saturday.

The 11/4 favourite had to work hard to overcome Noble Gift and young Callum Shepherd but got home by a neck.

The runner-up’s trainer William Knight gained compensation with Seaside Sizzler in the staying handicap later on.

Mark Johnston sent out two very fast juveniles in Boater and Chupala – both by Australian sire Helmet – who spread-eagled the opposition in the two divisions of the juvenile fillies’ maiden, scoring by seven and six lengths respectively.

The SPs were 8/13 and 6/5 and bookmakers were left without a prayer.

Tiggy Wiggy won this race a couple of years ago and either or both of these fillies may also end up taking on the best.

Roger Varian, who had a weekend to remember, won the Rosebery with the progressive four-year-old Barsanti. Layers again felt the lash as the four lengths’ scorer was returned at 7/2 favourite.

Irish-trained winners

HEXHAM proved a happy hunting ground for Irish trainers on Tuesday as Ronan McNally’s ultra-consistent See Double You (15/2) gained a richly-deserved success in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle and Paul Stafford’s 7/2 chance Gibbstown followed up in the Primary Websites Handicap Chase over three miles.

See Double You is a truly remarkable 13-year-old and this belated triumph followed a third, second and second again on three consecutive days in Scotland – Ayr twice and Kelso – a couple of weeks ago.