IT'S far from being the most prestigious race that Salisbury stages but the one mile handicap for amateur riders will never be forgotten by Ben Pollock who rode his first winner on his debut.

"It's an absolute dream come true," exclaimed the teenager, somewhat embarrassed at speaking to the Journal after the race. "Ever since I was 12, I wanted to ride a winner."

Pollock, 17, rode work for Sussex trainer Pat Butler before switching to the powerful yard of Richard Hannon three months ago.

And to add to the pressure, he was not only partnering Always Fearless who is owned by the trainer but was also watched by his family and friends. "I was excited but a bit nervous," he confessed.

Though the six-year-old had never won on 19 runs on the turf, the teenager felt he had a chance on his best form. "I came here thinking he would do all right. He broke well and when the gap appeared, he took it. He was travelling so well throughout I thought I had a chance but when I crossed the line in front, I could hardly believe it."

Always Fearless scored by two and three quarter lengths but the two divisions of the juvenile races for colts were anything but clear cut, with the first leg resulting in a stewards inquiry when Jubilee Walk held on by a nose from Cajetan. 

Opinion was divided whether the winner would keep the race after the pair got close in the dying stride but Cieren Fallon was confident he would keep it. "I was always doing the right thing," he said. "I tried to keep him straight but he did drift a bit. I had my stick in my right hand but he was always doing enough."  

Dragon Leader, a convincing winner on his debut at the course in June, clung on tenaciously to land the second division to thwart American Bay as they pulled away in the closing stages.

"I thought he did that well," said trainer Clive Cox who revealed the two-year-old had suffered a minor setback in the interim. "Nothing serious but he had to be kept quiet for a couple of weeks. I was very pleased with the way he dug in and I think there is a bit more edge to come."

The absent Hannon enjoyed a treble when Yeah Nah swooped late to snatch the first leg of the juvenile fillies race at the expense of the favourite Zoumoon. "Very straightforward and very professional in her run," was Sean Levey assessment of the surprise 11/1 winner. "I like her." 

Hannon's third win came in the one mile handicap when Yellow Line outstayed Azahara Palace.

William Carson and David Probert superstitiously never entered the winners enclosure as the camera was left to determine the outcome of the five furlong sprint as Joy Choi and Tilia Cordata flashed past the post. The camera however could not separate the pair resulting in a dead heat.