Something old and something new as Diligent Resdev steams home in Ayr Bronze Cup

One of the oldest trainers around teamed up with one of the newest jockeys to land the Virgin Bet Ayr Bronze Cup with Diligent Resdev.

Mick Easterby, now 93 and sharing the licence he first took out in 1961 with his son David, trusted the mount to Lewis Chalkley, a 7lb claimer who rode the first of just four previous winners barely 14 months ago.

His faith was rewarded as the apprentice drove Diligent Resdev, who is part-owned by golf star Lee Westwood, to a length-and-three-quarter success.

"That was brilliant," said Chalkley, 22, and originally from Barnsley. "They went a nice gallop, we got cover and at the three-pole I was looking around thinking 'I'm going well here'. I kept it simple, pulled him out and he steamed home.

"I must thank the boss and the owners for putting me up. I've been with Mick and David for about two years and they've been great to me, I've learned loads and they give you opportunities as well. I'm not booked on anything else at the moment but I hope this gets my name out there a little bit more."

Lewis Chalkley: "I hope this gets my name out there a little bit more"Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"It was very good of the owners to let him ride it," Mick Easterby said. "He could claim 7lb, which is a big thing. He's a good jockey, he'll make it."

Nolan caps fine year

David Nolan's great year gets better and better and he won his second Listed race of the season on Star Of Lady M in the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies' Stakes.

The jockey, whose last Listed success prior to this term was in 2016, has already beaten his personal best tally of winners in season by ten, with more than three months to go.

"It's great to have another Listed winner," he said. "It's been a good year — I can't complain and I'll keep going."

Star Of Lady M is another Listed winner for David NolanCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Star Of Lady M was bouncing back to the form of her impressive success at York's Ebor meeting and Nolan said: "She's very straightforward and very gutsy. She didn't turn up at Southwell last time for whatever reason but she was fresh and well here and she enjoyed the conditions."

Trainer David O'Meara felt that last run came too soon and said: "When they put up a monster performance like she did at York, it can take more out of them than you think.

Looking ahead, owner Mike Madden said: "There's another Listed race at Newmarket in three weeks, the Boadicea Stakes, we might go for."

Star return for Loughnane

While battle rages for the 2024 apprentice title, last year's champion Billy Loughnane continues to thrive without a claim and he rode a treble on just his third visit to the track.

He was riding the Richard Hughes-trained Star Of Mehmas for the first time but was always well placed on his way to a smooth length success in the Listed British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes.

"This is my third time here and it's going okay!" the jockey said. "She broke nicely and went through the gears well.

Billy Loughnane won on Star Of Mehmas (No.14)Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"She's very straightforward and was tough when I asked her to pick up. Mr Hughes said to have her in the first couple and see how she goes, she has a good cruising speed."

He also took the fillies' nursery on Beronia and the mile handicap on Yaaser and has his first ride in Saturday's Ayr Gold Cup, on Orazio who has gone close in several big sprints over the last two seasons.

"I'm looking forward to it," Loughnane said. "Orazio is a nice ride. The draw could have been kinder, I'd like to have been more in the middle, but he's definitely got a lot of ability and he's got some good form."

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