Birthday Suit shows naked ambition (From Gazette & Herald)

Birthday Suit shows naked ambition

BIRTHDAY Suit was the toast of Lord and Lady Halifax at York on Thursday when the white-faced filly made her first public appearance a winning one in the hands of Kevin Darley.

Not only was she a first juvenile winner of the season for Tim Easterby, she was also a first winning progeny for her sire Daylami.

And, of course, she was scoring a fitting triumph on a course where Lord Halifax is chairman.

Birthday Suit's triumphant debut was warmly received by Lady Halifax, who bred her at the family's Garrowby Stud, from her highly-successful mare Wanton, also the dam of Classic Park, winner of the 1997 Irish 1,000 Guineas.

A filly who had impressed Easterby with her ability and attitude at home, Birthday Suit produced those same qualities in front of the Knavesmire crowd to record a half-length triumph over Sioux Ryder at odds of 5-2.

Next stop for Birthday Suit could be the Hiliary Needler Trophy at Beverley next month.

Andrew Tinkler, tipped by many shrewd judges to make a big name for himself as a rider, has grasped the nettle by switching from amateur to professional.

The 18-year-old, following in the footsteps of his father Colin and uncle Nigel, both of whom were sucessful National Hunt jockeys before turning their hand to training, will continue to be attached to the Lambourn stables of top trainer Nicky Henderson.

Tinkler, who was still attending school in Norton when he rode his first winner at Musselburgh as a 16-year-old, partnered six winners as an amateur last season and also enjoyed the thrill of finishing third on Scots Grey in the Mildmay of Flete Chase at the big Cheltenham Festival meeting in March.

"Switching from amateur to conditional should help me get more rides and I have a very good base with Mr Henderson," said Tinkler, who recently reduced his claim from 7lb to 5lb.

While stablemate Marcus Foley won the conditional title last season, Tinkler plays down talk of emulating that feat.

"The championship might be a long-term objective, but short-term I just want to get as many rides and as many winners as possible," he said.

Updated: 12:09 Thursday, May 22, 2003