Who needs Dubai? Kestenna romps to nine-length win under Robert Havlin

Robert Havlin may have had to miss his half-term family holiday to Dubai, but gained some compensation for staying closer to home this week when Kestenna jetted in by nine lengths in the mile fillies' novice.

John Gosden could have a black type filly on his hands given the way the daughter of Pride Of Dubai made light of a 7lb penalty to dispose of market rival Colour Of Light.

The 5-4 favourite was making it two wins from three starts when tracking Elvic in the early exchanges before putting the race to bed early in the home straight.

A return to the Sunbury track for what was the Massaka Stakes on April 3 is now on the agenda for the improving three-year-old.

Havlin said: "Kestenna only beat a 75-rated horse a couple of lengths at Wolverhampton last time, but she was green that day and is obviously improving.

"She did that nicely and, although she is obviously effective at a mile and has speed on her dam's side, she could get ten furlongs in time."

Diligent dots up

The track riding standard to slow helped Diligent Harry handle a drop back to 5f in the novice contest, making all to supplement his recent debut win at Wolverhampton.

Clive Cox's scopey type towered over his rivals in the market as well as the paddock when sent off at 1-7, but those who had supported him in from 1-5 in the morning had few worries.

The comfortable victory over Miss Bella Brand under Adam Kirby was a double celebration for one member of The Dilinquents, the winning syndicate.

Cox revealed: "Hazel Trafford, one of the syndicate members, is celebrating her birthday and this will be a great thrill, especially as she is unable to attend."

As for future plans, Cox said: "We'll probably put him away for the turf season after that. We'd have run him last year but he had a hold up and it's been nice to register back-to-back wins. He's a six-furlong horse, but he handled the drop back to five well."

Cox and Kirby later doubled up when Tommy Rock came from last to first to hold the late thrust of Aureum in the mile handicap.

Half-century near

Merry Secret moved reigning all-weather champion trainer Mick Appleby one shy of his 50 for the winter season when getting up to deny market rival Shaqeeqa in the 7f handicap.

The recent Lingfield winner looked booked for second until Alistair Rawlinson got him up in the last ten yards to score by a head.

The jockey said: "He travelled well on the whole, but has a tendency to lug in. That's 49 for Mick and hopefully he'll soon have another championship wrapped up."

Cox a no show

A stewards' inquiry was held to consider why William Cox, who was declared to ride Tobie Jones in the mile fillies' novice and was required to provide a urine sample, had failed to arrive at the track.

Cox’s agent notified the trainer Polly Gundry and explained in a phone call with the stewards that Cox notified him at 12.13pm that he was still feelings the effects of an injury he sustained in a yard accident a week ago.

The stewards gave permission for Cox to be substituted by Josephine Gordon and the matter was forwarded to the head office of the BHA for further consideration. Cox is, however, hoping to take his rides at the track on Wednesday night.

Results, replays and analysis

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