Havana Gold ridden by Richard Hughes on their way to victory in the Foundation Developments Novice Stakes on day one of the Betfair Weekend at Ascot Racecourse, Ascot.

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Trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes combined to land a double on the first of the three day Betfair weekend at Ascot on Friday.

They struck first with Havana Gold in the seven furlong race for two-year-olds. He is now unbeaten in two starts after scoring on his debut at Newmarket last month. But despite the impressive start, Hannon has no immediate plans for the son of Teofilo.

“He is a nice horse, but at the same time he is a lazy horse at home,” Hannon admitted. “He is immature. That was a very good race you know. We will give him a bit of time off now. We won’t go anywhere near Goodwood.”

Hughes said: “He was doing nice work. The horse he beat is a nice horse. He is very immature but in the end the penny dropped.”

The double was completed in the Class 3 mile with the consistent Hefner, who has now won three and been placed three times in eight starts.

“He is growing up and he is game, which is a good quality in a horse,” owner Julie Wood said. “He is a foal purchase. I like buying the foals so we can see them grow up. We started this season with 31 but we have sold a few. We have been very fortunate and enjoy it immensely.”

Earlier, Diaminda created a favourable impression when overcoming a rocky passage to win the opening race for two-year-olds over six furlongs.

“The pace wasn’t strong. It rode like a nice race. We have always liked this filly,” said jockey Jim Crowley.

And trainer Alan Jarvis hopes that the victory, along with an anticipated improvement in the weather, will enable him to finally get a start in to some of his other youngsters.

“I’ve had the best lot of two-year-olds for 20 years but then we get this weather and I have been unable to run them. It has been a joke,” he said.

In other news, Shropshire has had his price trimmed to 20-1 (Paddy Power) for the Stewards’ Cup after winning the feature race of the day, the Cushman & Wakefield Handicap under five pound claimer Matthew Lawson.

“He just needs a bit of cover,” winning trainer Charles Hills said. “Matthew is a strong rider. He won on him at Kempton earlier this year and there is no reason why he shouldn’t ride him next. Every bit (of weight saved) helps.”