No stopping the Cecil youngsters

Henry Cecil maintained his 100 per cent record with two-year-olds this season when Gulchie notched up a winning debut at Redcar yesterday.

Henry Cecil maintained his 100 per cent record with two-year-olds this season when Gulchie notched up a winning debut at Redcar yesterday.

The 1-4 shot made it three winners from three juvenile runners for the Warren Place trainer when he followed in the footsteps of Londoner and Vacamonte with victory under Richard Quinn.

Twenty four hours made all the difference to Mount Park who had finished 16th of 19 in a Ripon maiden on Saturday. David Chapman's filly was transformed as she showed a clean pair of heels to 14 rivals in the Family Funday 13th August Selling Handicap, ridden by 5lb claimer Claire Bryan.

John Reid rescued supporters of well-backed favourite Free Option at Kempton. Traffic problems looked set to scupper the hopes of Ben Hanbury's charge as the Mail On Sunday Mile Handicap reached its finale.

But in the nick of time another opening presented itself and Free Option (3-1) responded well to lead on the line and pip Pantar by a short-head.

Bruce Raymond, representing owner Ahmed Ali, said: "It looked like John was never going to get through, but he would have been an unlucky loser.

" Usually it is best to be near the fence as John was here but in a slow-run race things can get a bit tricky. This horse deserves this win."