JAMES Doyle took the riding honours with a sunshine double on Redcar’s first meeting of 2026.

The Group 1 winning rider struck in the Wathnan Racing colours on Skipper, who stayed on strongly to deny Jolly Roger in the racingtv.com Handicap.

Trained at Newmarket by Hamad Al Jehani, Skipper was always doing enough, with Doyle saying: "They were happy with him beforehand because he's been galloping nicely with horses running to a good level and it was pretty straightforward."

Doyle’s double came on Mafting for Helmsley trainer David O’Meara in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap.

Stable spokesman Alex Stearn said: "We knew he was capable and the only place he's got his head in front before was Redcar. It's great for the members of the Gallop Racing syndicate.”

It was another Group 1-winning Doyle – Hollie – who took Redcar’s opening race of the 2026 season on smart debutante Vollering, trained at Lambourn by Archie Watson.

The Sioux Nation filly was always in the firing line in the Flat Is Back On Racing TV EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes over the minimum trip.

"She's sharp but she'll get six furlongs no problem. They're always a bit green first time out on grass but she's done it well,” said Hollie.

She also gave Redcar's new facilities for female riders a thumbs up: "They're great – so much better than before. I'm happy!"

It was also a good day for the newly formed father and son partnership of Richard and Peter Fahey, who enjoyed a double with Mr Colonel and Watchdog.

Mr Colonel, a son of Frankel, earned his stripes by grinding out a short-head victory from Ed Bethell’s According To Mark in the Watch Live Racing On Racing TV Novice Stakes.

Winning rider Shane Gray, who made the race a test from the front, said: "I didn't want to make it a sprint. He was a big baby last year and he'll need a minimum of a mile and a half going forward."

Peter Fahey added: "He's going to want further but he's a really nice horse."

The Fahey double came in the last race, the Watch Race Replays At racingtv.com Handicap, when Watchdog made all under Oisin Orr.

Peter Fahey said: "It was just a case of keeping it simple and going in a straight line. There are plenty of races over the same trip for horses like him."

Wild Thoughts, trained at Newmarket by Richard Spencer and ridden by Saffie Osborne, looked a horse to follow when easily landing the Better Value With Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap.

"We came here thinking we had a well-handicapped horse," said the trainer. "He's been working well and should progress through the summer. He's entered at Doncaster on Saturday but, if I had my way, we'd come back to Redcar next week."

Saffie added: "Once he got into position he travelled really nicely and made my life very easy. I was a bit concerned about how far he was going to win!"

Looks Fantastic outstayed favourite Perfidia to win the Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Handicap for trainer trainer Mick Appleby and jockey Ali Rawlinson.

The rider said: "He's been working better than his mark but he's had a few issues in the past. It's all about getting him confident enough to believe he could do it.

"Being back on turf has helped today and he's gone through the line strong enough and pricked his ears so, hopefully, it's a recipe to go on from here."

MAIN ACTION PICTURE: Hollie Doyle wins Redcar's first meeting of 2026 on Vollering