Newbury's summer racing gets underway in style

There were three local winners at Newbury Racecourse's first summer evening fixture of the year on Tuesday, June 21.

Racegoers that managed to navigate the train strikes were rewarded with an evening of sunshine, champagne and an action-packed seven race card.

Wonder Starelzaam won the first race, the Rayner Bosch Apprentice Handicap Stakes, for Denis Coakley's West Ilsley yard.

The four-year-old came from the midfield to win comfortably by two-and-a-quarter-lengths from the pre-race favourite Militry Decoration.

It was the fourth win of the gelding's career – three of those have come in the last six months.

Parachute won the evening's feature race, the Greenshields JCB Handicap Stakes, ahead of Zain Nights in second and Miramichi in third.

The four-year-old is trained by Ed Walker, who has been based in Upper Lambourn since December 2016.

The gelding certainly has impressive pedigree – he was sired by Sea the Stars, who won the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Eclipse Stakes.

Lambourn-based Charlie Hills continued his fine run of form thanks to Bell Shot, who won the evening's fifth race.

It was a second win for the three-year-old who was a neck clear of William Buick aboard Al Ameen.

The race was run in honour of next week's Racing Staff Week, which recognises the contribution of staff throughout the racing industry.

Hungerford's Hollie Doyle took home the bragging rights in the evening's penultimate race aboard Alablaq – her husband, Tom Marquand, was third on Afta Party.

Tuesday's meeting marks the beginning of a busy summer schedule at Newbury Racecourse which includes Super Sprint Day on July 16.

Revellers can look forward to four Class 2 races, a Listed race as well as a performance from returning favourite Craig David.

Next Thursday, June 30, sees the return of Newbury's popular Gin Thursdays. As well as a seven race card, racegoers can look forward to live music and the chance to sample a host of local gins.

In honour of Racing Staff Week, all racecourse staff are entitled to free entry and a complimentary drinks voucher.

All that is still to come this summer – let's hope its a memorable one.