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"HE'S THE fastest horse I've ever trained," said Bryan Smart after the phenomenal win by Captain Gerrard in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday, a Group 3 race over five furlongs.

Jockey Tom Eaves, who is riding out of his skin at present, had the Hambleton colt at the front from the off and, even though headed briefly, repelled all attacks to win by a neck from Sakhee's Secret.

This was a fine performance for Reg Bond's young colt and at a rewarding 15-2, northern backers were well pleased, not the least your correspondent who tipped him last week.

Smart said: "He showed so much speed and that was some performance for a three-yearold taking on older horses. We have had a wet and cold winter and have been held up with the horse, and I know there's a bit of improvement in him.

"I always said the fatter he is the better he runs. He's done really well through the winter. It's up in the air, but he's shown so much speed and we could go for the Temple Stakes at Haydock, and if he doesn't we could go for the Duke of York."

The trainer also suggested the King's Stand at Royal Ascot was a possibility if there were cut in the ground.

We were also pleased to have found you the winner of the 2,000 Guineas the day before in the shape of Henrythenavigator which, at 11-1, repaid well.

Those who did the Tote Exacta that one to New Approach, the hotpot favourite who was second, gained £39.80.

Sir Robert Ogden's filly in the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, Francesca D'Gorgio, ran well for some way but faded to finish last - not a surprise at her 80-1 odds. She looked to have something amiss with her in the late stages, but the reports were that she ran out of stamina.

The Thirsk Hunt Cup on Saturday was won in great style by Estraterrestrial, trained for Geoffrey Paver by Richard Fahey and partnered by Paul Hanagan, dubbed "that man again"

by the racing commentators.

The owner said that they were going to celebrate his wife Sue's and his mother's birthdays that evening, as well as his own retirement from the family business.

"Now we've something else to celebrate too," he added.

Yorkshire owner Bill Imison had another win from Dispol Kylie, ridden again by good claimer Jamie Moriarty and trained by Paul Midgley. The filly may now head for the Hilary Needler at Beverley.

Also on the Thirsk winners list were Kevin Ryan with wife Jill's Yes One and Tim Easterby with Jonny Lesters Hair.

Mark Johnston entered our record books by being the first trainer from D&S-land to win at Great Leighs, the new allweather course near Stansted, and in fine rapid double fire fashion. Robert Winston rode both his winners last Thursday evening at the all-invitation meeting - the track opens to the public at the end of the month.

They were Keep Discovering and Mazaaya, both of which shaped well and should go on to further success through the season.

Earlier that afternoon at Redcar, Greg Fairley partnered the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned Tajweed to a follow-up win to his Musselburgh victory.

Richard Fahey was on the mark in the seller with Sea Salt, another good Paul Hanagan ride. Young Adele Rothery won the apprentice race on the David Nicholls-trained Our Sunnie and Andrew Elliott kept Swift Princess covered up until near the line to win a short head for Karl Burke.

Tyrone Williams has returned to race riding in great style, with his first winner last week on Big Slick at Catterick and following up on the same mount in rapid fashion at Musselburgh last Friday.

In between he also won on Knavesmire at Redcar last Thursday, making four wins in the fortnight for the in-form Mel Brittain: the pair look formidable for the summer ahead.

Neil Callan rode an easy follow- up win on First Buddy at Musselburgh for Alan Swinbank and owner Bill Gredley. The trainer also won with Hill Billy Rock, PJ McDonald in the plate.

Robert Winston partnered Robin Bastiman's good sprinter Borderlescott to his seasonal first win in the conditions stakes. Young Neil Brown has been in good form, too, and won for David Barron on Skhilling Spirit. The lad followed up at Warwick on Bank Holiday Monday, aboard Imperial Sword.

Hamilton on Sunday saw Graham Lee grab the jump jockeys special flat race for the second year, partnering Brian Ellison's Keisha Kayleigh. Andrew Elliott won for George Moore on Veronicas Boy and Lee Enstone was enterprising for Patrick Haslam on Thompsons Walls, winning from the front.

David Nicholls had another good week, with winners also at Doncaster on Saturday evening and at Southwell.

David Barker had watched Adele Rothery's ride at Redcar and booked the lass for Brut at Catterick: she duly won. Grant Tuer and Brian Ellison were also on the mark at the Bridge.

At Beverley on Wednesday, Fahey introduced a nice twoyear- old, Deadly Encounter, which he and owner John Staunton bred. Barry McHugh had the ride and Robin O'Ryan, the trainer's assistant, said it was the first time the juvenile had left Musley Bank.

Darryll Holland, who is in good form, took two, one each for neighbours James Bethell and John Weymes, the latter's first win this term. Dazzler' won from the front on both these, Snowed Under and Casino Night respectively.

Michael Dods won with Celtic Lynn at Doncaster and runs debutant Just Five tonight in Ripon's opener. Biggest danger is Peter Chapple-Hyam's Rayvin Mad. Later, perhaps Robert Winston can persuade Chris Thornton's Danzatrice to put her head in front on the line, after two near misses including behind Hill Billy Rock last weekend.

Tomorrow at Thirsk, another evening meeting, the pick of the 6.40 Dick Peacock Sprint looks to be Alexander Huricane. In the Steve Boggett Celebration of Life' Handicap at 7.40, in memory of the late northern pressman, the David Barrontrained Dispol Isle should give Bill Imeson another winner, following last week's good success for the Ripon owner.

2:52pm Friday 9th May 2008

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