Apprentice's wiles stitch up contest at Redcar.

Byline: By Doug Moscrop

Apprentice Paul Mulrennan showed the experience of an old head on young shoulders when threading his mount Blue Spinnaker through the eye of a needle to sew up the totesport Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar yesterday.

Hemmed in on the inside rail in an impossible position, he had to sit and suffer and the opening came just in time for the gelding to gain a last-gasp victory.

However, it was a close call over James Caird, with Crow Wood breathing down their necks in third, the same position he occupied in last year's event.

Winning trainer Mick Easterby commented: "I was cursing my lad all the way down the straight because I thought he was never going to get a run.

"But he managed it somehow and he can keep on my horses as long as he rides out for me six times a day. I already ride out eight times every day," was the quick response from Mulrennan, who has struck up a successful partnership with the much-improved five-year-old.

"I was trapped on the inside but I just kept praying for an opening and, when he saw daylight, he found another gear," said the jockey.

Easterby has picked up a bargain in Blue Spinnaker, who cost only 2,500 guineas at the Newmarket Sales out of John Hammond's stable in France. But that is only half the story.

"When I got him he was as lame as a dog but I knew what the problem was and it took me six months to sort it out.

"The horse was unlucky at York last time and we are planning to go now for the Royal Hunt Cup. He saw the extra two furlongs out no bother at all, so it gives us options, but we'll likely drop him back to a mile next time."

Karl Burke saddled his 26th winner of the campaign when Bold Marc, relishing the fast ground, quickened away from the opposition for a decisive victory in the Racecard Competition Novice Auction Stakes.

Market rival Monashee Prince broke fast to make the running but Darren Williams was always stalking the leader on the Burke youngster who took total control in the last furlong.

"We could go for the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot as the owners seem keen, but we might also look for a Listed race abroad," said the Leyburn trainer.

"He is also entered for the big two-year-old race here in October and he is a very decent youngster."

Former jump jockey Paul Midgley stunned the big Bank Holiday crowd when saddling 66-1 shot Sedge to win the Go Racing In Yorkshire Selling Stakes in convincing style.

Darryll Holland, in second place behind Kieren Fallon in the jockeys' championship, had a disappointing ride on Zero Tolerance, unsuited by the faster ground in the Zetland Gold Cup.