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Racing news and tips: Double gives Lulu Stanford plenty to shout about

Lulu Stanford after riding a winner in February 2016
Lulu Stanford after riding the winner of an apprentice race at Chelmsford in February 2016. Photograph: racingfotos/Rex/Shutterstock

Lulu Stanford had the kind of day that made her want to shout on Sunday when reaching her most successful time in the saddle yet. The promising 19-year-old apprentice rode a notable double at Salisbury that took her career winners’ total to 30.

Not only the owners and trainers of the pair of winners were delighted, so were punters. Her victories from 200 career rides lifted the profit to a £1 level stake on all her mounts to £22 . She has now won on three of her last five rides. Of her 30 victories, 21 of those had been at all-weather tracks – but this season her skills have been more recognised on turf.

Her first winner on Sunday was on Daddies Girl, who drifted in the betting to 7-1, but Stanford went into the lead on the filly two furlongs from home and they held the challenge of the hot favourite, Take Shelter. Daddies Girl’s trainer, Rod Millman, said: “Lulu’s great, isn’t she? She has ridden four winners for me this season and is an old head on young shoulders. When she arrives in the paddock she knows all about the other horses in the race, she does her homework.”

Millman, who trains at Cullompton, Devon, added: “Lulu clearly has the skill to ride horses and win on them. She’s great value for her 5lb claim.”

Later on the card Stanford was back in the winner’s enclosure aboard Cheval Blanche, this time for the Newmarket trainer Michael Bell, to whom she is apprenticed. Some serious punters showed their faith in Stanford, her mount being backed from 100-30 into 9-4 favouritism. The grey filly made most of the running and asserted in the closing stages to win comfortably from the Ryan Moore-ridden second favourite Aristocratic.

Bell spoke on Sunday night about how he has known Stanford since she was a curly-headed five-year-old. “She was brought up on ponies. These days she’s totally dedicated. I’d even say she has tunnel vision, entirely focused on her career – and she is doing extremely well.”

Stanford added: “I’ve had great support from Mr Bell, who has put me on some really nice horses. Mr Millman and several other trainers have been great to me too. It might be fantasising, but my ambition is to eventually be riding Group-class horses.”

In Ireland, Jessica Harrington – fresh from her highly successful Punchestown jumps festival – saddled Red Label to win on the Flat at Gowran Park. The colt was having his first run since moving to Harrington’s stable from Luca Cumani.

“I’m delighted with Red Label,” the trainer said. “I was worried about the ground. I’ve only had him a month, and I’m just learning about him. He’s a nice horse and we will see where we go from here.”

Bank Holiday Monday selections

Bath

2.15 Cee Jay 2.50 Sfumato 3.25 Secretfact 4.00 Ghepardo 4.35 Sellingallthetime 5.10 The Quarterjack 5.40 I’Vgotthepower

Beverley

1.55 Noble Manners 2.30 Thrifty 3.05 Stringybark Creek 3.40 Faintly 4.15 Theos Lolly 4.50 Jacbequick 5.25 Mistress Quickly 5.55 Tagur

Kempton

1.45 New Agenda 2.20 Forever Field 2.55 Criq Rock 3.30 Al Alfa 4.05 Ballymountain Boy (nap) 4.40 Minella Rebellion 5.15 Artifice Sivola 5.45 Bob’s Boy

Warwick

1.30 Bedrock 2.05 Pique Rock 2.40 Vocaliser (nb) 3.15 Psychocandy 3.50 Midtech Valentine 4.25 Minella Style 5.00 Blackfire

Windsor

2.00 Dynamic Girl 2.35 Goring 3.10 Cool Team 3.45 Highland Colori 4.20 Cape Banjo 4.55 Sternrubin 5.30 Team Meeting