Tashawak extends unbeaten run

Birthday celebrations were given an extra boost at Newmarket today as in-form trainer John Dunlop struck with a 27-1 double on the second day of the July Meeting.

Tashawak extended her unbeaten run to four races as she took the day`s feature contest, the Falmouth Stakes, under a fine ride from Richard Hills.

Having made a winning reappearance in a Listed handicap at Royal Ascot, the Night Shift filly took the step up in class in her stride.

The 5-2 favourite led over a furlong out and kept clear of some trouble among the placed horses behind her to lift the Group Two prize by a length and a half from fast-finishing Golden Silca.

Dunlop`s other runner, Kootenay, was the same distance back in third.

Having earlier enjoyed an impromptu chorus of `Happy Birthday` in the winner`s enclosure after Bonecrusher`s success in the Bonusprint Stakes, a torrential downpour prevented a repeat as the crowd ran for cover.

But a delighted Dunlop said: 'The way she won there you would have to think that she is a very good filly.

'But I suppose we will have to take on the older horses over a mile now - there is nowhere else to go for her.

'She had a bit of a cough and a cold earlier in the year when a lot of them had the same sort of problems but she has always been easy to train and done everything that we have asked of her.

'She is a progressive filly and quickened up really well,' added Hills as he returned to the weighed room. 'She won in very good style.'

After a stewards` inquiry concerning interference between Dolores, Kootenay, Marionnaud and Spring Star, the placings were left unchanged.

The 63-year-old Dunlop, who has been training for 37 years, had enjoyed his first birthday winner as Bonecrusher came with a well-timed challenge under Pat Eddery.

Former champion Eddery, who had also been on the mark for Dunlop 24 hours earlier with Millenary, showed again that he is riding as well as ever as the 7-1 shot held the late thrust of Salute by half a length.

'That was Pat at his best and as far as I am concerned, he has always been the best,' said Dunlop.

'Bonecrusher ran well in the Britannia last time on firmer ground than this but I think he really likes a bit of give in the ground.

'We will keep him at this sort of level over a mile or a mile and a quarter.

'We definitely had a dip in form in few weeks ago but the horses are all running well again now.'