JUNGLE Inthebungle gave further credence to West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon’s belief he has a useful crop of juveniles by making a winning debut at Lingfield.

The two-year-old’s short-head success from Lady Prancealot in a five-furlong novice median auction stakes under Charlie Bishop came hot on the heels of stablemate Izzer winning his first two starts at Doncaster and Bath.

Channon said: “Izzer has already indicated that we might have a good bunch of juveniles and this lad is in a similar vein.

“He’s strong, athletic and mentally bombproof and was very much ready for a trip out of the yard.”

Jungle Inthebungle’s victory was also notable as the West Ilsley handler trained the colt’s sire and dam – Bungle Inthejungle, winner of the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood and the Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot, and Princes Banu.

He added: “His sire was a remarkable racehorse with the sort of exuberance that you’d hate to stifle and once he got going he was the quickest thing I’ve seen.

“A monster of a two-year-old and a great mentality – that’s what Jungle Inthebungle has too.

“Princess Banu was similar in that you didn’t complicate matters with her and it’ll be interesting to see what happens to this lad as the season goes on.”

Bishop completed a double by piloting Key Player to victory in a mile novice stakes for Blewbury trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.

The three-year-old gelding made all the running before holding off Ostilio by half a length.

Step Back got off the mark over fences for Letcombe Bassett trainer Mark Bradstock with an impressive win at Fakenham.

Sent off the 8-13 favourite for a three-mile novices’ handicap chase, the eight-year-old led his rivals a merry dance under Nico de Boinville, coming home 16 lengths clear of Sam Red.