Racing: Steamer proves the master in nursery

HOH STEAMER continued to defy the handicapper at Newcastle yesterday as he reeled off his third victory in a row in a competitive nursery in the space of a month.

The money-spinning gelding swept up the main prize in the pounds 40,000 Newcastle Exhibition Ale Blaydon Race to follow wins at Newbury and York. Sent to the front with two to travel, the 10-1 shot was all out to hold the late thrust of Fair Flight by a short head.

His trainer, Michael Bell, has always rated Hoh Steamer highly but the horse failed to show much sparkle in his early days.

"Michael liked him a lot in the spring," Bell's brother-in-law, Luke Lillingston, said, "but he was most disappointing to begin with.

"But Michael took the decision to have him gelded and since then he's gone from strength to strength."