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Horse Talk: Top horse-racing tips and the latest news

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Trainer Harry Dunlop’s sparkling season continued at Sandown on Thursday as Roz won the feature race of the day, a Listed contest for two-year-old fillies, under jockey Jim Crowley.

Roz, by Teofilo out of Debonnaire, is owned by Dunlop’s landlords Charlie and Mary-Anne Parker. The owners revealing the filly that was bought for £16,000 and stabled within sight of their house, is named after Mary-Anne’s mother.

“The ground was the key but she has kept improving,” Dunlop revealed. “She wants fastish ground and it was encouraging that she fought all the way up the hill.

“I am thrilled to have a black type filly to look at but have no plans (for her next start). “We have only got 14 two-year-olds and this is seriously, seriously exciting. We have a lovely bunch and would like to be sent some more. I am having a good year and this is very much one of my better horses.”

Earlier, Pearl Acclaim improved on her debut second at Newmarket last month by easily landing the opener, a five furlong Class 5 for two-year-olds.

Held in high regard by his connections, the son of Acclamation was runner up to stable mate Havana Gold at his first start, on ground the proved to be too soft. Havana Gold has since franked the form by winning easily at Ascot last week.

“We were gobsmacked when he was beaten first time, but the winner may be a very good horse and he didn’t like the slow ground,” assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr said. “He is in the Gimcrack but we will take our time on deciding where to go next. He is by Acclamation and he is very willing. They are smart, fast and they run quick.”

Trainer Michael Bell is another handler with plenty to look forward to following the success of Bridgehampton in the one mile Class 3 under jockey Hayley Turner.

“He is a nice promising stayer and he has been crying out for this fast ground,” Bell said. “He is closely related to Fame And Glory and the further he goes the better he goes. Today the extra trip and low weight suited and the others were all going to have trouble pegging him back with that weight concession.

“We will keep working our way up the ladder and he can start winning some prize money finally.”

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