Romantic Time springs major shock in Salisbury's richest race

In what was a high-class renewal of the valuable Dick Poole Stakes, the filly was sent off an unconsidered 28/1 shot for the Cambridgeshire trainer who flies somewhat under the radar, despite having saddled 11 winners from just 76 runners this season, and led the horse around the parade ring.

But the form was there to be seen. She had not finished far behind today's betting principals when seeking a hat trick at Newbury last time out.

However, that record did not seem likely to be enhanced when Romantic Time was slowly away and appeared all dressed up with nowhere to go as she was trapped behind a wall of horses, but as the field spanned out across the course, Doyle espied an opening on the far rails and pounced, taking the lead 100 yards out to draw away in the closing stages.

Romantic Time (Hollie Doyle) wins the Ire Incentive Scheme Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury Racecourse. Picture by Francesca Altoft

"They went very quick and two furlongs out I was out at the back of the field but then this gap just opened up," said Doyle who spoke of her delight at Stone's success. "William has been excellent towards me throughout his career. The step upto six furlongs brought out a bit more and she has the size and scope to go further."

'Scope and size' was a much banded about expression, first delivered by champion jockey Oisin Murphy who enjoyed an armchair ride on the even money favourite Outbreak in the seven-furlong race for two-year-old colts.

Though the dam showed a marked preference for soft going, he was certainly not averse to fast ground and romped home by five lengths.

Murphy, who led from flag fall, reported the Dark Angel colt had come appreciably from his debut second and there is more to come next season. "He has improved since that run. He should do well from two to three."

The same can be said of Good American who made a winning debut in the seven-furlong juvenile fillies race.

Run at a steady pace, Rob Hornby had the £125,000 guinea yearling at the head of affairs to run out an unchallenged one length winner, impressing trainer Ralph Beckett for whom success did not come as a total surprise.

"She has been showing well at home and was thoroughly professional throughout. She is a tall filly and will come on a bundle between two and three."

Lochsong was the best sprinter of her generation and connections were hoping Quickstep Lady would be an appropriate winner in the race named in her honour but she was being pushed along two furlongs out and dropped of contention as Chocoya was delivered with a strong challenge to snatch the spoils in the shadow of the post.

Sir Mark Prescott told young Morgan Cole after joining his Newmarket yard: "As long as you keep working hard, things will work out."

And so it has proved as she gained her seventh win of her fledging career by winning the last leg of the course's apprentice series on the trainer's Piselli Molli who held off the persistent challenge of Winnetka, the pair virtually having the race to themselves in the last half of the one-mile handicap.

"She plugged on well," said Morgan. "She was very game and is very genuine."

Though he had no mount in the race, Liam Browne could not be overhauled in the championship race for which he has won £1,500.