Hartlepool fruit and vegetable merchant Keith Middleton is enjoying the sweet taste of success as an owner after Conquering Love gave him his third winner from his last three runners when coming out on top in a thrilling finish to the Ripon Bell-Ringer Stakes at Ripon on Saturday.

There were several horses with a chance at the quarter-mile marker, but apprentice Tony Hamilton conjured up that vital bit extra out of Conquering Love to beat Pantone and Tiyoun by a head and a short head.

Conquering Love is trained by Brian Ellison (also on the mark at Market Rasen) for Middleton, who has ten horses in training, and said: "Cill Churnain, who is with Richard Guest won at Uttoxeter on Wednesday and Ceresfield, who I have with Sue Smith won at Cartmel on Thursday, so it hasn't been a bad week!

"We want to run him in the Ebor at York next month, and winning today should help him get in."

Hamilton completed a double when Rookwith, visored for the first time, ended a quiet spell for Middleham trainer James Bethell in taking the concluding ripon-races.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Bethell runs Mine in the seven-furlong Tote Festival Stakes at Ascot on Saturday and said: "I read he has been backed for the William Hill Mile at Goodwood, but the plan is to go to Ascot, I think seven furlongs is his proper trip.

"I have provisionally booked Jimmy Quinn to ride, but if the weights go up I will try and get Jamie Spencer again."

Cut Ridge, who finished unplaced at Hamilton on Friday night, made a quick reappearance and got her head in front at last under apprentice Paul Bradley in the Heuston Hospitality Maiden Handicap.

Her trainer John Wainwright missed seeing her moment of glory as he had left for home on route to see Elton John in Hull, but his father Snowy said: "I bought her and she can beat anything at home, but she has never done it on the course until today."

John Quinn is enjoying his best season and took his score to 21 when Lets Get On With It justified significant support (25-1 to 12-1) under a good ride from Darren Williams in the EBF Institute Of Journalists Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

She was making her racecourse debut, but she certainly knew her job and Quinn, who trains her for The Usual Suspects syndicate, who lease her from her Great Habton owner Lawrence Mullaney, said: "I thought she was all right and she has been working well, but I am pleasantly surprised."

l Camp Commander goes back to his favourite track on Saturday for the Tote International Stakes at Ascot.

Clive Brittain's tough handicapper won the Sony Victoria Cup over course and distance in April before returning to the Berkshire venue for the Royal Hunt Cup when he finished a gallant second to Macadamia.

The four-year-old has since turned in a below-par effort on Newmarket's July Course.

''Ascot is a better track for him than Newmarket. Newmarket last time was a none event for him. He just didn't run his race and in his previous runs at Newmarket he's never shown his best,'' explained Brittain.