Racing: Hills on a Hamilton high

Richard Hughes's loss proved to be beneficial for Keith Dalgleish and Paul Hanagan who made the most of their opportunities to record their first successes for the Barry Hills stable on Down Memory Lane and Gala Sunday at Hamilton yesterday. Hughes had planned to make his first visit to the course for 10 years, but was also due to ride at Doncaster last night. When he encountered problems with his flight arrangements he had to give the Scottish meeting a miss.

Dalgleish, who had ridden for Hills previously, gave Down Memory Lane a splendid front-running ride in the claiming stakes, keeping him going in style through the final three furlongs to hold off Whaleef.

In contrast, Gala Sunday did not strike the front until inside the final quarter mile in the conditions stakes, Hanagan having to work pretty hard to get him past Roskilde.

The Scottish course is now figuring regularly in Hills's plans and his travelling head lad, John Burrows, said: "It is a lovely course and I like coming here although it takes us seven and a half hours."