MICHAEL Dods believes that sessions on the treadmill have been a factor in Diamondonthehill’s rejuvenation after the gelding won his third race at Redcar tonight.

The Denton trainer has made no secret of the fact that the four-year-old is talented but unpredictable.

But Dods believes he’s “turned the corner” thanks to being freshened up by a change in his training routine, with regular workouts on the treadmill at home.

“It just seems to have rejuvenated him and you can’t knock him for what he’s done lately,” he said.

There was no sign of Diamondonthehill’s previous quirkiness as he knuckled down admirably under Connor Beasley’s drive to beat David O’Meara’s Star Shield by a nose in the Racing TV Straight Mile Series Handicap (see main picture).

The horse is now in a rich vein of form having won twice at Redcar and come a close second at Thirsk in his last three runs.

There was better news for David O’Meara as the eight-race card got underway with Eetee giving five-pound claimer Alice Keighley her fifth win from 13 rides this season in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap for female amateur jockeys.

The Fast Company gelding relished the step up in trip and Alice, who is based with David and Nicola Barron at Thirsk, said: “The instructions were to hold on to him as long as possible because he doesn’t appreciate being bullied. You have to be nice to him!”

There was a thrilling ending to the second race, as Crime Fiction, trained at Malton by Tim Easterby and ridden by Duran Fentiman, won the Bakers Tailoring EBF Restricted Novice Stakes in a driving finish from Pop World.

Assistant trainer Rory Bevin said: “She’s a lovely filly and it’s great to get her head in front. She improved for the step up to six furlongs last time and she’s come on again. She has a very willing attitude and, hopefully, she’ll progress again.”

Pop World, trained at Denton by Michael Dods and bred at Elwick Stud, near Hartlepool, is one for the notebooks after running a cracker on her debut.

Adam Nicol only has five horses in training at Seahouses, in Northumberland, but Wise Eagle has now won nine races for him after his success under Danny Tudhope in the Market Cross Jewellers Handicap.

The young trainer said: “He trains on the beach every day and just loves the sea air.”

Hail Sezer, trained by Geoff Harker, ran on gamely to land and Pat Swales Golden Wedding Handicap under a strong ride from Tony Hamilton.

The Thirsk trainer said: "I've always thought a lot of him but he's an immature horse so, hopefully, there's more to come."

Malton trainer Peter Niven made it six wins from his last six runners when Hurstwood stayed on strongly to win the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap (Division 1). The Dark Angel gelding was following up his course and distance victory a month ago.

Division 2 also went to Malton as Isle of Dreams, trained by Declan Carroll and ridden by five-pound claimer Zak Wheatley, made it three wins in a row, with the last two coming at Redcar.

Greycious Anna, trained at Leyburn by Karl Burke and ridden by Sam James, appreciated the step up in trip to turn over hot favourite Cite D'or in the Celebrate The Life of Russ Parker Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes.