Redarna enhances 'ridiculous' course record for Dianne Sayer

Dianne Sayer is better known for her success as a jumps trainer but she claimed the feature when Redarna landed the mile handicap.

The seven-year-old gamely fought off the persistent challenge of Shelir to win by a short head under James Sullivan.

Sayer’s only runner on the card has won six times from eight runs at the track and Sullivan, on board for five of those successes, said: "This horse is genuine and tries his best all the time. When he got into a battle near the end he really gritted his teeth and dug deep.

"He loves this place – it’s a ridiculous record. He knows his way home."

Speaking to Racing TV, he added on the finish: "I thought it was very tight at the line, I know Danny [Tudhope, rider of Shelir] got by me in the last half furlong but in fairness Redarna battled back and just stuck his head out on the line."

First time

First Company ran at Chester's May festival, York's Dante meeting and Royal Ascot this season without success but the Declan Carroll-trained three-year-old, third in a Listed contest at this track as a juvenile, belatedly got off the mark at the ninth time of asking in the 5f novice. He obliged at prohibitive odds of 1-6 against two rivals.

One first was followed by another as apprentice Henry Newcombe gained his breakthrough success under rules on Alsvinder in the 5f handicap.

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