Racing: Pas De Memories calls tune in Bell

PAS DE MEMOIRES won one of Britain's most historic races yesterday and in the process proved that he is effective on turf. His previous four wins had all come on sand, but there was no doubting his aptitude for turf as he took care of 17 rivals in the Carlisle Bell Handicap.

Suited by the fast pace set by Bachelors Pad, he moved to the front over one out and quickly went clear under Dean McKeown. The field were closing in the final 100 yards, but he had enough to spare to hold Duraid by a length.

Karl Burke, the winning trainer, said: "Dean's ridden a lovely race as the horse has got one turn of foot and it's simply a question of timing it right. Everybody was saying the horse is only an all-weather performer and I'm pleased he's proved otherwise."

Pas De Memoires was repaying the bold decision of Nigel Shields, his owner, to buy him after he finished sixth of nine in a claimer at Chepstow last season.

Burke said: "He's a tough horse as he is a bit bruised after ripping his shoe off when he travelled up here. He smashed a sesamoid bone on the same foot as a foal and the vet who examined him today said he couldn't believe he was still racing."

Denys Smith sent out the unraced two-year-old Zestril, who was backed from 33-1 to 14-1, to land the Tim Westoll Memorial Maiden Stakes despite a slow start. Smith said: I knew this one was every bit as good as the one that won for me last week, but I had given up hope when the filly lost all that ground at the start."

Venika Vitesse ended a 39- day losing spell for the trainer David Barron when squeezing home by a head from Springs Noblequest in the Ladbrokes Lucky Choice Handicap.