Sport

Eddery clinches a 246 to 1 four-timer

PASSION FOR LIFE puts a spring in the step of trainer Geoff Lewis

Wed Apr 17 1996 - 01:00

PASSION FOR LIFE puts a spring in the step of trainer Geoff Lewis. And at Newmarket yesterday the Epsom trainer underlined his reputation when Passion For Life gave him his third win in the last eight runnings of the Abernant Stakes.

Lewis collected the six furlong listed prize with Point of Light in 1989 and with Lake Coniston last year. Passion For Life, an uneasy 11 to 4 favourite, made much of the running under Pat Eddery to beat Iktamal by one and a quarter lengths with Struggler two lengths back in third.

Pat Eddery completed a treble in Khalid Abdullah's silks on Sherpas, Sanmartino and Dovaly. Newcomer Sherpas, who is entered in the Irish Derby but not at Epsom, was a weak 7 to 2 favourite to follow up last year's victory of Sebastian for trainer Henry Cecil in the Constant Security Maiden Stakes, but he made all the running and gamely held off Sasuru by a head with his stable mate Valedictory a length back in third.

Sanmartino, last year's Eber winner, made a smooth return in the NGK Spark Plugs Swaffham Handicap, beating Unchanged by. two and a half lengths.

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Dovaly completed Eddery's treble for Abdullah and his four timer in all when landing the closing Museum Maiden Stakes, also giving Cecil a double for the meeting's opening day.

Eddery clinched a 246 to 1 four timer when Dovaly blew a big hole in Sacho's derby prospects in. the Museum Maiden Stakes. Sacho has been pushed out from 14 to 1 to 25 to 1 by Ladbrokes for the Epsom classic following his half length defeat at the hands of Cecil's newcomer.

Trainer Neil Graham shot back into the big time yesterday as Thrilling Day sprang a 20 to 1 surprise in the Shadwell Stud NellGwyn Stakes.

He seized a notable Group Three success when Thrilling Day pipped Bint Salsabil by a short head in the 1,000 Guineas trial. The defeat of eight 1,000 Guineas entries merely served to strengthen the claims of Bosra. Sham and Blue Duster for the first fillies' classic.

Bint Salsabil had attempted to make all the running and was still several lengths clear with two furlongs to go. But Thrilling Day, ridden by David Harrison, found a powerful late burst to lead close home and then held off the late rally of her rival.