Ed Walker-trained Molls Memory lands third successive victory at Newbury Racecourse

Molls Memory struck for the third time in a row in the BetVictor App Handicap Stakes at Newbury Racecourse on Friday.

The six-year-old, trained by Lambourn’s Ed Walker, bolted to the winning post and made it look convincing for another victory.

Under Hungerford-based jockey Tom Marquand, Molls Memory made it two wins from seven starts this season.

There was another local winner in the form of Kingsclere trainer Andrew Balding.

Secret Shadow pipped the Harry Dunlop-trained Maketh Believeth across the line to win a second race in 16 days after success at Nottingham.

After the race, Dunlop explained how thrilled he was with the second-place finish.

“I was really pleased, he has come a very long way from running in smaller races and I am delighted because he loved the run of the race.

“We might look at one more [race] on the turf because he likes soft ground, so we’ll see, but he stays in training as a four-year-old.”

Meanwhile, Bushfire won at the third time of asking for East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison, holding off the late challenge from My Mate Ted to win the BetVictor Loyalty Club Novices Stakes (Div II).

After previous runs at Goodwood and Salisbury, the Summerdown handler was more than pleased with the performance from his two-year-old.

“I was obviously delighted,” said Morrison. “He’s not the brightest and he’s taken three runs to work out what he does at the racecourse, but he’ll stay.

“He goes on soft ground and we’re going to have fun next year I think.”

In the opening race of the afternoon, Marlborough-based trainer Richard Hannon continued his fine record at Newbury.

American Kestrel made all the running to land the BetVictor EBF Maiden Stakes under Sean Levey, with Delorean in second and the William Haggas-trained Hebrides in third.

Haggas did, however, open his account at Newbury on the day as Hoodwinker won the Hot To Trot Racing Fillies Handicap Stakes, under jockey Marquand.

There was more local success in the West Berkshire Racing Club Handicap Stakes as the Clive Cox-trained Louie De Palma was first across the line.

Meanwhile, the Roger Charlton-trained Zain Nights made huge progress from his fourth at Nottingham last time out to win the BetVictor Loyalty Club Novices Stakes (Div I).

In the Apprentice Handicap Stakes, Cloud Thunder made it look comfortable for the team of Heather Main and jockey Frederick Larson.