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Thirsk review: Ton-up celebration for The Lock Master

SALISBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 11:  Michael Appleby poses at Salisbury racecourse on June 11,  2013.
Image: Michael Appleby: Thrilled with The Lock Master

A review of Wednesday's meeting at Thirsk as The Lock Master made his 100th career outing a winning one.

The Lock Master demonstrated all of his battling qualities to ensure his 100th career start ended with victory in the Watch On 3 Devices racinguk.com Handicap at Thirsk.

After mastering long-time leader Le Deluge, the Michael Appleby-trained 9/4 favourite had enough in reserve to hold off staying-on runner-up Rochambeau by a length and a half to score for the first time since winning at Southwell last March.

Appleby said of his eight-year-old: "That was great, as the ground would have been quick enough out there for him.

"He takes his races really well and luckily he has not had any injuries. He has still got a few years left in him yet.

"The handicapper had given him a bit of a chance as it was the first time he has run in class six company.

"He is entered in a race at Ripon next week, but we will see what the ground is like. He will probably have a couple more runs then have a break as he doesn't like firm ground."

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Hugie Boy made full use of his high draw when coming with a late charge to claim the Bet With Your Racing UK App Handicap and initiate a double for jockey Dale Swift.

Ridden just off the pace the 7/1 shot, drawn in stall 20, went into overdrive entering the latter stages of the six-furlong contest to defeat Debt Free Dame by a neck and make his handicap debut a winning one.

Winning trainer Scott Dixon said: "He still looked green there, but he has been the work partner of Penny Dreadful who romped in at Catterick by seven lengths so that form was pretty good.

"He is massive and all he has done is grow. He seems to be getting there now and hopefully he has got a little bit more to come."

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Swift was involved in another all-action finish when completing his double aboard Multi Grain in the Join The Racing UK Club Handicap.

The Brian Ellison-trained 9/1 chance got up on the line in the mile contest to deny Brosnan in a photo by a short head.

Signoret was forced to battle all the way to line before getting his head in front at the seventh time of asking in the 100% RacingUK Profits Returned To Racing Maiden Auction Stakes.

Although sent off the 4/6 favourite for the six-furlong event, the Richard Fahey-trained runner had to pull out the stops to defeat Myboydaniel by a hard-fought length.

Jamie Spencer made sure his rare visit to the track was not a wasted journey after booting home the Kevin Ryan-trained Bapak Asmara (13/8) in the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Maiden Stakes.

Rachel Richardson followed up her double at Beverley on Saturday to make it three winning rides in succession with victory aboard Tim Easterby's White Flag (11/1) in the first division of the Thirsk Next Meeting Monday 8th June Handicap, while the Michael Herrington-trained Indastar (16/1) gained a first win on turf when edging out A J Cook in a thrilling finish to the second division.

Shelley Birkett secured her inaugural winner at the track after steering Steel Train (20/1) to a surprise victory in the New Racing UK Android App Handicap.

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