John Reid registered his 100th winner of the season at Lingfield yesterday, but it was Kieren Fallon who took the riding honours with a 38 to 1 treble courtesy of Bound For Pleasure, Balisada and Ones Enough.
The champion jockey started off with the Gary Moore-trained Bound For Pleasure in the first division of the EBF Book a Box for the Fireworks Maiden. Bound For Pleasure, owned in partnership by top TV writer Lynda La Plante, Stephen Ross and Duncan Heath, led in the last 50 yards to beat Yakareem by half a length.
Balisada led well over two furlongs out in the second division of the EBF Radio Mercury Roadshow Fillies' Maiden. The daughter of Kris, trained by Geoff Wragg, was sent off the even-money favourite, and was quite impressive. Wragg said: "We knew she went in the soft, but it was a bit beyond soft today. I think she has got a touch of class."
Ones Enough, also trained by Moore, clinched Fallon's threetimer with an easy four-length victory over Ranaan in the Halloween Fireworks Night Burr Conditions Stakes.
Reid reached his ton when Highest Peak landed odds of 2 to 5 in the second division of the Book A Box Maiden, and is on offer at the Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket today. The chestnut, owned by Maktoum Al Maktoum and trained by Michael Stoute, led two furlongs out but had to be kept up to his work to beat Whitewater Boy by three parts of a length.
Pat Eddery netted a double at Leicester to take him within a couple of winners of the century mark for the season, beginning with a hard-fought victory on the favourite Mount Irish in the opening EBF Hoby Maiden. This was another successful debutante for trainer, David Loder, who was saddling his 58th winner of the campaign - four of which have come from his juvenile team.
But there was little confidence in the ring behind Mount Irish who drifted out from odds-on to go off at 11 to 8. And it was only Eddery's strength which got him home as he drove the colt out to beat Weet For Me by just half a length.
Eddery then triumphed in another tight finish when Mowbray got home by a head from Chist in the three-runner Squirrel Conditions Stakes.
Wet autumn weather must seem heaven-sent for Escartefigue as he prepares to set out on the long road towards next March's Gold Cup. Trainer David Nicholson is hoping to unleash the classy sixyear-old in Saturday's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
And the downpours may leave Escartefigue with an easier than expected task in the three miles, one furlong conditions event. Escartefigue was beaten only once in four outings over fences last season - and that came at the hands of Ireland's much-vaunted Florida Pearl in the Royal & Sun Alliance Novice Chase.
The promising Mouse Morristrained Boss Doyle will sidestep the engagement if the ground at the West Yorkshire track comes up heavy. On last year's novice form Boss Doyle is closely matched with Escartefigue and the impressive winner of Aintree's Mumm Mildmay Novice Chase would provide Nicholson's charge with a tough test.
Charlie Hall Chase entries: Addington Boy, Banjo, Boss Doyle, Escartefigue, Sail By The Stars, Samlee, Seven Towers, Simply Dashing, Strath Royal, The Last Fling.
Coral yesterday reported a substantial ante-post gamble on Earthmover for the Gold Cup. The Barking firm was inundated with requests for the Paul Nicholls-trained chaser throughout the day, and were forced to cut his odds to 25 to 1.
Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup betting: Coral: 11-2 Florida Pearl, 10-1 Escartefigue, 12-1 Boss Doyle, See More Business, 14-1 Dorans Pride, 16-1 Cyfor Malta (from 20-1), 20-1 Cool Dawn, Unsinkable Boxer, Suny Bay, 25-1 bar.
