Return to action brings rapid reward for jockey Dean Heslop (From Gazette & Herald)

Return to action brings rapid reward for jockey Dean Heslop

10:03am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Sport By Tom O'Ryan, Racing journalist

North Yorkshire rider Dean Heslop, who drew a halt on his career last year, made a dramatic return to the course last week with an eight-lengths success on Ezra Church, whom he rides again at Southwell tomorrow.

Heslop, an accomplished 5lb claimer, who has ridden almost 50 winners, decided to take time out in 2011, but he has lost none of his dash and his latest comeback success on behalf of his Thirsk boss, David Barron was achieved in stylish fashion.

Ezra Church could have hardly won more convincingly last week and because that success was gained in an apprentices’ race, he escapes a penalty in the Play Roulette@bluesq.com/casino Handicap. He is napped to give Heslop his second winner from two mounts this year.

Magic Millie aims for a hat-trick of wins under Danny Tudhope in the Tickets On Line At southwell-racecourse.co.uk Selling Stakes.

Nawton trainer David O’Meara has placed this five-year-old mare to win a handicap and a seller on her last two visits to this venue. Tomorrow will be tougher but the in-form Magic Millie may be able to complete a sequence.

In the Golf Before Racing At Southwell Claiming Stakes, Where’s Reiley has only got to repeat his latest peformance to win under Frankie McDonald.

The gelding chased home the useful pair Capone and Alben Star in a conditions race at Wolverhampton last week when he completely belied his 80-1 odds. He has proven winning form on this course and should be hard to beat.

Others to note at Southwell are Ambitious Icarus (1.50), who should appreciate the step up to six furlongs on his handicap bow, and Zenarinda (3.35), who bids to make it third time lucky for Mark Tompkins after finishing runner-up here and at Wolverhampton on her only two starts this year.

Joe Fanning, who teams up with an interesting-looking newcomer for Mark Johnston at Southwell in Colour Guard (4.10), travels on to the evening meeting at Wolverhampton, where he has good prospects for the same trainer aboard the promising Captivity (7.40).

Westow trainer Paul Midgley has every chance of kicking the Wolverhampton meeting off with a winner with No Mean Trick, a winner on this course in December.

The sprinter scored at Southwell last week and the 6lb penalty he has picked up will be offset by apprentice Ned Curtis, who has joined the North Yorkshire yard in recent weeks.

Although largely unknown under Flat rules, the teenager, son of trainer Roger Curtis, rode a heap of winners on the pony-racing circuit and looks a capable pilot.

The promising Place That Face (6.10) makes obvious appeal, while Chris Bealby’s Rocky Rebel (6.40) should make a bold hat-trick bid in the stayer. Bealby also has good prospects wth Countess Comet (7.10), a winner over hurdles at Catterick last month.

racing selections

Southwell (tomorrow)
1.20 Caledonia Prince, 1.50 Ambitious Icarus, 2.25 Where’s Reiley, 3.00 Magic Millie, 3.35 Zenarinda, 4.10 Colour Guard, 4.40 Ezra Church (NAP).

Wolverhampton (tomorrow)
5.10 No Mean Trick, 5.40 Consistant, 6.10 Place That Face, 6.40 Rocky Rebel, 7.10 Countess Comet, 7.40 Captivity, 8.10 Cairanne.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Bangor (subject to 8am inspection), Kempton (subject to 8am inspection).

Today’s meeting: Wolverhampton.

Both meetings at Huntington and Taunton were abandoned due to frozen ground.