TIM EASTERBY and his stable jockey David Allan were the combination to follow at Redcar yesterday, knocking in a sparkling 47-1 double via Major Third and Methusaleh.

Major Third wasted no time at all in getting the in-form duo on the score-sheet by snapping up the opening five-furlong two-year-old Maiden Auction Stakes.

"He's a tough and sound sort with a liking for fast ground and I'm delighted. There's plenty of grass on the track and the ground staff should be congratulated on doing a terrific job, " said Tim.

Methusaleh had to work harder to win the John Smith's Straight Mile Qualifier, but Allan's persistence paid off when he drove his mount to snatch the lead off Il Castagno inside the final 50 yards.

"I thought the handicapper was a bit savage by putting him up 3lb for his Thirsk third, although it turns out he was right. He's game and we're aiming him at the final of the series later in the year," reported Easterby.

Recently promoted Sheffield United stars Gary Flitcroft and Keith Gillespie, fresh from an open top bus tour and civic reception in their home city 24 hours ago, enjoyed at their day out when Cd Europe took the seller.

The former Royal Ascot winner had not occupied the winners' enclosure since November 2003 and is a shadow of his former self, but he had little difficulty brushing aside a weak field.

"Gary's got four horses with me. He asked me to take Cd Europe on because he'd lost his way. The horse is hard to keep right, but now he's won again it could get the ball rolling," explained trainer Alan Swinbank.

Having booted 6-4 favourite Cd Europe to victory, Robert Winston completed a short-priced treble when partnering Pearly King (8-13) and Bonne de Fleur (2-1) to success.

Pearly King, who landed the feature Jacksons-CPL Solicitors Handicap, holds an entry in the Irish Derby, but having won only by a narrow margin will need to progress if he's to confirm Sir Michael Stoute's lofty ambitions.

* Richard Hannon's team are firing on all cylinders and warmed up ahead of a big couple of days with a treble at Folkestone.

The Marlborough trainer will be represented by Asset and Nasheej respectively in this weekend's Stan James 2000 and 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, the first Classics of the season.

And Richard Hughes ensured he kept the winners coming as he struck aboard Karayel and Pititana.

After partnering three winners the previous day, Hughes maintained his early challenge for a first jockeys' championship title when bringing Karayel home in the opening folkestone-racecourse.co.uk Maiden Stakes.

The 5-2 chance took advantage when a gap opened on the stands rail as favourite See In The Dark drifted towards the centre and kept on well as that rival tried to wrest the lead from him in the final stages.

The son of Fasliyev clearly appreciated the faster conditions.

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