BLEWBURY trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has always thought a lot of Magnolia Springs, but even she was surprised by the striking manner of the filly’s debut victory at Newbury.

With Johnson Houghton keeping her high opinion of the two-year-old close to her chest, the daughter of Shamardal was sent off a 25-1 outsider for the aptly-named Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises EBF Stallions’ Fillies Conditions Stakes.

And Magnolia Springs made a mockery of those odds by bounding clear to score by three and a half lengths from Melodies in the hands of Charlie Bishop.

“She is gorgeous this filly,” said Johnson Houghton.

“When you have something that nice, you don’t want to set yourself up to be disappointed. I was surprised by how well she won, but I love her.

“She is not entered in anything and she might not run again this year.”

East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison could aim Star Rock at the valuable Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket on October 13 after the three-year-old landed a mile-and-a-half fillies’ handicap at the track on her first outing since May.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock, who had beaten the smart God Given in a maiden stakes over the course and distance on that occasion, this time recorded a length-and-a-half verdict over Cribbs Causeway in the hands of Josephine Gordon.

Explaining the filly’s absence, Morrison said: “She just knocked herself and as she’s a nice horse in the making, I didn’t want to rush her.”

Morrison also struck with Outcrop, who justified 10-11 favouritism in a Chepstow selling stakes under Oisin Murphy, before being sold for 16,000gns to Staffordshire trainer Jennie Candlish.

On the same card, Paul Cole’s Whatcombe yard enjoyed success with 20-1 shot Zoraya, who got off the mark with a neck verdict in a fillies’ novice stakes in the hands of Raul Da Silva.

The veteran handler and the Brazilian jockey were back in the winner’s enclosure when Medieval captured a seven-furlong handicap at Newmarket.

Apple Anni made the trip to Beverley from Mick Channon’s West Ilsley yard worthwhile by opening her account in a novice auction stakes with John Egan on board.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Limato, the star of Henry Candy’s Wantage stables, bids to repeat last year’s win in the Qatar Prix De La Foret at Chantilly on Sunday.

The five-year-old has failed to add to his tally this season, but has performed well to be placed in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Cup, and was last seen finishing a close-up fourth in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.