Winter Derby the target for Royal Champion after comeback Listed win

Royal Champion came out best in a battle of the former stablemates when sinking the previous year's winner Tyrrhenian Sea in the Listed Quebec Stakes. 

On his first start for Karl Burke, the former Roger Varian trainee got first run on the latter's talented grey to land odds of 5-6 under Clifford Lee.

Turned out looking tremendous after a spell in Australia, the Royal Ascot winner made his first start on the all-weather a successful one to set up a tilt at the Winter Derby in February.

Karl Burke said: "We've only had him five or six weeks since he came back from Australia. He's done that well and the plan is to have a crack at the Winter Derby."

Double for Morland

Rookie trainer Jack Morland celebrated a first double only three months after taking out a licence, a feat kicked off when Starshiba landed the mile handicap under Danny Muscutt.

The former assistant to Ed Dunlop took the plunge a couple of months ago by renting boxes from Newmarket trainer Charlie McBride and has not looked back.

Jack Morland at the top of Warren Hill in Newmarket

The same combination later got the double up when topweight Batal Dubai justified strong support in the 7f handicap. 

The 29-year-old said: "I'm delighted to have our first double and also for the owners, including Charlie and Julia Rosier who have backed me since I started training in the autumn. Horses like Starshiba are the type you need when you're starting training and he certainly knows his way around the track here."

Keady bags second winner

Michael Keady was another Newmarket newcomer to the training ranks to get in on the act when Horus made a successful first start for the Hamilton Road yard in the 6f nursery.

The well-backed 100-30 joint-favourite made light of an outside stall to give Keady his second winner and completed a double from just three rides for Sean Levey.

Michael Keady at his new premises at Revida Place

Keady said: "We're absolutely delighted to get our first winner up for the Gill family, Jim, Claire, Flynn, Caitlin and Ceira. They have been huge supporters and I’m sure it will be the first of many winners."

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