Holland wins a Free-for-all

Darryll Holland is now just two off his career-best season score of 71 winners, which he notched in 1995, after scoring an 18-1 double aboard Running Free and Atlantic Desire at Salisbury yesterday.

Atlantic Desire, having her third outing in eight days after finishing third at Goodwood last Friday and winning at Ripon on Monday was quickly sent out in front by Holland in the Cheviot Limited Stakes before pulling out all the stops in the closing stages to hold off the challenge of Rapier by a length.

"She's had three quick races but she's as game as a pebble," said trainer Mark Johnston's representative Bill Brown.

Martin Fetherston-Godley had almost given up with Running Free but the gelding has now netted two wins in the past month .

"He had been really disappointing but he seems to thrive on racing and that may be was what he needed," commented the East Ilsley trainer.

Handicap king Reg Akehurst admitted even he was surprised after Mihriz had turned the Knights and Company Handicap into a one-horse show under Tony Clark, scoring by five lengths from Yalta.

Mihriz had run well on his seasonal bow on the Wiltshire course in May but was a dismal flop on his next outing at York last month.