'I thought he'd won but I wasn't going to be cocky and say anything' - Tom Eaves has the magic touch on Democracy Dilemma

Turning to race specialist Tom Eaves paid off as Democracy Dilemma landed the William Hill Beverley Bullet by the narrowest of margins.

Group 1-winning trainer Robert Cowell had never taken this Listed race and his sprinter was on a frustrating run of near-misses.

But Eaves, riding for the yard for the first time since 2021, judged things perfectly on the front-running 8-1 shot, albeit he only had a nose to spare over Hollie Doyle on Albasheer at the line.

It was a record-extending fourth victory in the 5f contest for the jockey, who was successful previously on Chookie Heiton (2004 and 2005) and Tangerine Trees (2011), and he said: "I thought he'd won but I wasn't going to be cocky and say anything. It was close.

"He was very tough at the business end. It's a stiff finish but it suits a horse on the front end."

Cowell was delighted to train a Listed winner for owner Fitri Hay and said: "I'm really pleased, he'd been knocking on the door and he's a tough horse to pass once he's got his head in front. Thank god he'd got his nose down where it mattered. 

"He might go to Newbury for the Dubai International Airport World Trophy, he'll have a penalty in Listed races now so we have to go for Group races really. He'll have another race or two then probably go to Dubai for the winter.

"Tom used to ride a fair few for us but we don't have as many runners up north as we used to. I'm delighted for him, he keeps it simple and I like his feedback."

Quiet start to the day for Tregoning

It had been a long time since Marcus Tregoning last made it to Beverley and he was delighted he came after Quietness continued her relentless progress and landed the opening 1m4f handicap.

The improving filly kicked on three furlongs out under PJ McDonald and held on well to take the £30,000 event and score her fifth win from six starts since joining the trainer's yard, some 245 miles away in Hampshire.

"I think the last time I was here, I had a drink with Mick and Peter Easterby in the bar, so it was quite a while ago as they were both still training then!" Tregoning said.

"But I love coming racing in Yorkshire. The tracks are lovely and there's such an enthusiastic crowd, there are lots of people here in the fine weather. And the ground is beautiful, they really do a good job." 

Quietness was winning off a BHA mark of 91, having been rated just 68 at the start of the season.

"She's done really well," Tregoning said. "We're climbing the ladder and going up the weights, and that was a good performance. It's onwards and upwards. I hope they'll keep her in training next year as she's a big, scopey filly.

"She was quite lazy when she hit the front but you could see how strongly she was travelling when he pulled her out so I was never too worried, PJ is very strong."

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