Racing: Cecil pays tribute to Kelleway's character

PAUL KELLEWAY, the top National Hunt jockey and Flat trainer, who died earlier this year, was commemorated at Lingfield yesterday.

The Paul Kelleway Memorial Stakes was won by the 8-13 favourite, Selfish. Her trainer, Henry Cecil, said afterwards: "Racing needs people like Paul. He was a great character, a fine trainer and a respected friend to me."

Selfish, ridden by Kieren Fallon, led just over a furlong out to score by three parts of a length from Parisien Star.

Cecil said of the winner: "She has had her problems with joints, but is well bred. They went no pace and turned into a sprint and she really needs to be covered up."

The Cheveley Park Stakes entry Shafaq won the six-furlong maiden race on her debut, making virtually all to score in the hands of Richard Hills.

Hamdan Al Maktoum's filly had something of a battle with Don't Surrender in the closing stages, but triumphed by half a length at the line.

The winning trainer, Robert Armstrong, said: "She wintered in Dubai and got back here in April. She has been nice and normal all the way through."

Shafaq was the fourth two-year-old that the trainer has run this season, the first three having all been placed.

"I like the look of my juveniles, but the older horses leave a lot to be desired. We had a mild virus in the yard in May, but we seem to be through that now," Armstrong said.

The Paul Cole-trained LS Lowry hung on by a neck at even money for Jimmy Fortune in the Orange Stakes after a hard-fought battle with the runner- up Fast And Neat.