Hills lands double on return

Michael Hills, who rode two winners at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday but drew a blank at Jebel Ali yesterday, jetted back home to complete an 87-1 double on his father Barry`s pair Ballet Fame and Alexander Three D at Newmarket today.

He started the ball rolling when Ballet Fame (10-1) opened her account at the first attempt in the European Breeders Fund Balaton Lodge Maiden Fillies` Stakes division one.

She had half-a-length and the same to spare over Unfaithful Thought and Summer Wine, and winning owner Khalid Abdullah`s racing manager Teddy Beckett said: 'That is a pleasant surprise, she has been working quite nicely, but we were not expecting her to do quite that today.'

The Listed betfair.com Zetland Stakes was a stiff test for two-year-olds over the straight mile and a quarter, but Alexander Three D (7-1) is blessed with plenty of stamina and she ran out an impressive four-length winner.

Hills senior was on his way to Jack Ramsden`s 60th birthday party in Yorkshire, and son Michael explained: 'I like this filly a lot, she ran well at York in heavy ground and though we were a bit worried about the favourite (Bestam who finished third) you should never be afraid of one horse at this time of year.

'She will make a nice filly next year and I am looking forward to riding her again.'

Hills goes back to Dubai to ride there next Thursday and Friday, and he went on: 'If a good ride was available in the November Handicap at Doncaster next Saturday I will come back.

'But the plan is to ride for Paddy Rudkin in Dubai through the winter and he has some lovely horses in his stable.'

Riberac took her career score into double figures and gained her third Listed race success in the process with a typically game peformance in the Gist Ben Marshall Stakes.

She answered Kevin Darley`s every call when Smirk came to challenge to see him off by one and a half lengths and due to go to stud next year, is likely to have her swansong in Italy in a fortnight`s time.

Trainer Mark Johnston explained: 'She may go to Rome for a Group race, we have not gone before with her because we got everything down to a `t` at the stalls over here and did not want to spoil it abroad.'

Amanda Perrett sent out her first two-year-old winner for Cheveley Park Stud when Prince Hector confirmed the promise of his debut run at Leicester by taking the Ripley Homes EBF Maiden Stakes in the hands of Seb Sanders.

Cheveley Park also bred Prince Hector and managing director Chris Richardson said: 'Amanda started training for us this year and she has also won two races with Solo Mio (seven-year-old).

'We have had a good year, I think we are leading English owner - Medicean and Danehurst, who will stay in training next year, have done well.'

Neil Pollard gained his first success for Leyburn trainer Karl Burke when giving Soller Bay a good ride to win the Littlewoods Bet Direct Mile (Showcase Handicap).

Burke was raiding his old stamping ground having moved from Newmarket to North Yorkshire at the turn of the year, and Pollard said: 'I have had only a handful of rides for Karl and this is the fist time I have sat on Soller Bay. He wants a mile and a quarter really, but he did it well.'

John Dunlop sent out two winners here yesterday added to his score in the second division, Maid To Perfection, one of four runners he saddled in the race starting favourite and winning decisively under George Duffield.