RACING: Newmarket trainer David Loder started off his New Year in fine style courtesy of a 9 to 1 double with Big Band Music and Zabeel Palace at Lingfield yesterday.
Big Band Music (evens favourite) looked well tuned up for the opening Bet Direct On Sky Active Maiden Stakes and jockey Eddie Ahern never had to move a muscle on the colt, who went to the front on the bend into the straight and drew clear to score by three lengths at even money from Avanti Avanti.
Zabeel Palace (4 to 1) was always prominent and made virtually all to beat Wotchalike by a head in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap.
Ahern went on to collect a 49 to 1 treble when the David Flood-trained Il Pranzo obliged in the Bet Direct No Q On 0800 93 66 93 Claiming Stakes.
Also in top riding form was Neil Callan, who secured a 12.5 to 1 double on Atlantic City and Spence Appeal.
The brace was initiated when Atlantic City ran out a very cosy winner of the Bet Direct On All Weather Racing Median Auction Maiden Stakes.
Robert Winston got in on the double act, too. He landed the Littlewoods Bet Direct AW Jockeys Championship Handicap for David Barker on Whinhill House (7 to 1) before booting home Les Montague Hall's Madrasee (11 to 2) in the closing Bet Direct On At The Races Handicap.
