RACING: Jockey Eddie Ahern made a successful return after a lengthy ban to take the Happy New Year From Bet Direct Maiden Stakes on Jade's Promise at Lingfield.
Ahern, who was riding his 30th winner from 129 rides on the circuit, was returning to the saddle after serving a 14-day ban for riding a finish a circuit too early at a previous meeting.
He kept Jade's Promise up to his work well though to hold off High Diva by a short head.
The winner is owned by professional punter David Nevison, who is toying with running the gelding in a £20,000 handicap at the course on Saturday.
Nevison added: "He will make a lovely hurdler and he's for sale." Ian Mongan, who was unplaced on True Companion, was banned for four days for careless riding (January 8th-11th) after his mount was found to have interfered with Hasina during the event.
The divisions of the Littlewoods Bet Direct AW Jockeys Championship Selling Stakes proved to be a tale of two trainers.
Bank On Him justified 11 to 8 favouritism in the first part of the 10-furlong event for London handler Andrew Reid, leading just over a furlong out to beat Flint River three parts of a length.
The mount of Mongan was bought in by Reid for 5,000 guineas at the subsequent auction and his spending was not done with there.
The second division was won by Haripur, who made every yard under Paul Doe, to score by two lengths from the favourite Eddu.
Winning trainer Jon Akehurst, said: "I'm not getting carried away with that as it wasn't a very good race."
However, the bids flew thick and fast afterwards and Reid finally secured the former Alec Stewart-trained colt for 12,800 guineas.
A Woman In Love showed she was in love with the game in the first division of the seven-furlong Bet Direct on Channel 4 Page 613 Handicap, leading a furlong out for Steve Drowne to score by a length and a half from Mush.
Winning trainer Brooke Sanders reported: "I shouldn't have run her over a mile and a quarter last time, but Jimmy Quinn suggested bringing her back to this trip and it has worked."
