Racing: Kirk's time of austerity is saved by the Belle

A little bit of the wealth was spread down the Rowley Mile here yesterday when the baksheesh from the card's £100,000 sales race filtered its way to the unpretentious Upper Lambourn yard of Sylvester Kirk.

Michelle Ma Belle was the name of the filly who rewarded Richard Hannon's former assistant with the biggest return in a training career which has yet to span two seasons. It was the first win on the course for the master of Cedar Lodge.

Michelle Ma Belle forged to the front a furlong out and, apart from a moment when she appeared to be coming over to the stands to tell us how she did it, the filly was never troubled. Chris Catlin straightened her up for a length victory over the favourite, Morning After.

"I really fancied her but the draw put me off and with the going being a little bit soft I wasn't sure about that," Kirk said. "She's been so unlucky in nurseries lately that she deserves to win. It was nice the luck changed for the right race. She's been working very well.

"This would be my biggest win so far. I would be delighted if she proved up to Listed class but maybe that would be clutching at straws a little. But she's improving, getting bigger and stronger, so you never know. She's got a great attitude."