Fanning on fire with his 140-1 track treble

Jockey’s Musselburgh love evident with three fine wins

Joe Fanning was in tremendous form at Musselburgh last night when he rode a terrific 140-1 treble.

His evening began with Sky Defender before adding to his tally with Primo’s Comet and Viscount Loftus.

The haul catapulted the Irishman to the head of the Musselburgh leading jockey award for 2018 and he said: “I’ve always loved riding round here and luckily the results have been kind. The horses I ride tend to be suited to the track and that all helps.”

Rebecca Bastiman has a decent strike-rate at the East Lothian venue and Zeshov repeated his win of two years ago in the 188Bet Mobile Bet10 Get20 Handicap.

The 6-4 favourite stormed home by three and a half lengths under Jamie Gormley who celebrated his 26th birthday earlier in the week meaning that any winners now don’t count in the apprentice title race although he is still able to claim 3lb

Meanwhile, Roger Varian can begin to become more ambitious when making future plans for Prince Eiji after he paid back a slice of the 2.6 million guineas laid out for him with victory on his debut at Ascot.

By Dubawi out of Group Onewinning mare Izzi Top, the youngster could hardly be better bred and earned 2000 Guineas quotes in taking the Charbonnel Et Walker British EBF Maiden Stakes by half a length.

Varian said of his 4-1 winner before jetting off to the sales at Keeneland: “It was a very pleasing performance. He was very professional and travelled strongly. He was a bit green under pressure, but he did enough.

“I think he will improve a good deal for that run and there was a lot to like about it. He has been working nicely, but he has done a lot growing through the summer.

“He has got a big pedigree and price tag, so it was nice to make a winning start. Everything he does this year is a bonus.”