The £50,000 Listed Sovereign Stakes provided one of the highlights of the season so far at Salisbury Racecourse when Passing Glance pipped last year's winner Priors Lodge to the post.

The thrilling short-head victory also rekindled memories of Mill Reef's triumphant debut at the Netherhampton track more than 30 years ago.

Salsibury director, Ian Balding - trainer of the legendary Derby winner - described Thursday's race as one of the most exciting things to happen to him at the venue since Mill Reef's debut.

His son, Andrew, now in charge at Ian's Kingsclere stables, trained the 6-1 shot which jockey Martin Dwyer brought home wearing the famous black and gold silks of the late Paul Mellon.

"It's good that these colours are still active," said Ian. "Mr Mellon left them to me in his will and we just run the home breds in them."

The Salisbury connection proved a strong one in the race as the course's chairman Michael Wates is also a co-owner of Passing Glance.

The Sovereign Stakes, which must surely be upgraded to a Group Three event, was the third Listed race of the popular two-day meeting. However, it will not be one that Frankie Dettori will forget in a hurry.

The jockey, always a popular visitor to Salisbury, was handed a two-day ban for careless riding on race favourite Bowman which was judged to have interfered with Steenberg causing a concertina effect on Cat Ona High and King Of Happiness.

Dettori failed to land a winner in his four rides of the meeting.

On the opening day he had stood shoulder to shoulder with his fellow jockeys for an immaculately observed minute's silence in memory of their colleague Kieran Kelly who had died just hours earlier from injuries sustained following his fall at Kilbeggan.

Iqte Saab won Wednesday's opening race in stunning style under Richard Hills and its impressive debut was duly noted by the bookies with Ladbrokes immediately quoting it at 33-1 for next year's 2000 Guineas.

Sgt Pepper was another popular winner taking the honours in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes ensuring the Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes partnership maintained their course domination.

The duo returned to the winners' enclosure for Thursday's Ad Trader Maiden Stakes when Dash For Cover (13-2) caused a major shock defeating the well-backed favourite Blaina (4-11).

Racing continues at Salisbury on Thursday, August 28.