TRAINER Tom Dascombe’s decision to send two runners down from his Cheshire yard paid handsome dividends at Newbury on Tuesday evening.

He and jockey Richard Kingscote completed a double with Iconic Choice in the Win Races With Jonathan Portman Fillies’ Novice Auction Stakes and Teodoro in the Pegasus Pumps Ltd Handicap.

Iconic Choice (9/4), showing a really determined attitude, stayed on well to hold off Be Like Me (13/2), ridden by Antonio Fresu with 7/4fav Pass The Gin (David Probert) back in third.

Andrew Balding’s Pass The Gin had been warmly backed during the day for what was the Newbury track’s inaugural Gin Festival meeting.

Kingscote was back in the winner’s enclosure an hour later after steering Teodoro (5/1) to a sixth-length victory over 15/8 favourite Tuff Rock, the mount of Martin Harley.

Favourite backers had made a profitable start to the evening with 15/8 Outofthequestion (Joshua Bryan) just holding off Midnight Mood (6/1) by neck in the Indzine Apprentice Handicap.

However, the bookies were smiling after the Gigaclear Full Fibre Broadband Fillies’ Novice Stakes with outsider Room To Improve obliging at 33-1 in the hands of Hayley Turner.

“That was fun wasn’t it. She was a real gem to ride.” commented Turner after the debut-making two-year-old had run on strongly in the final furlong to beat Tronada (8/1).

Reading Chronicle:

Richard Kingscote steers Iconic Choice (9/4) to victory at Newbury on Tuesday night. Picture: Helen Edwards.

Wales-based David Evans also trained the third, Elegant Love, another 33-1 shot, ridden by Fran Berry.

He’s Our Star, making the short trip from Al Stronge’s Eastbury yard, lived up to his name by winning the Jung Pumpen & Pump Technology Handicap at 16/1 with Tom Marquand doing the steering.

They were all out at the post to snatch a neck verdict over 6/1 Enzo, ridden by Liam Keniry.

But Keniry went one better in the next race – the Lee San Marine Sanitation Handicap – with 13/2 Global Excel edging out Anonymous John (8/1) by a head after a fine front-running performance.

Ragstone View, a course winner two weeks ago, was sent off the 5/2 favourite for the Pump Technology Handicap, but could only finish fifth in a race won by 8/1 Lucky Louie, ridden by Jack Mitchell for Roger Teal.

Newbury’s next meeting is on the evening of Thursday, July 12 and the course is inviting local musicians, singers and bands to perform during the evening.

Those interested should send a demo disc to info@newburyracecourse.co.uk no later than July 5.

FA Vase winners Thatcham Town FC will also be attending the meeting with team manager Danny Robinson commenting: “We are really looking forward to going racing. We will be bringing along the trophy and cheering on some winners.”