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Happy Laughter Takes One Thousand Guineas i Mercer Guides Filly to Victory Over Bebe Grande, Tessa Gillian By VERNON MORGAN Reuters Sports Editor NEWMARKET, England, May 1.— Tobacco magnate H. D. Wills Happy Laughter won the One Thousand Guineas, annual fillies classic, here today. Ridden by Manny Mercer, Wilwyns jockey, Happy Laughter held at 10 to 1. An Irish-bred daughter of Royal Charger out of Bray Melody, Happy Laughter surged to an easy, two-length victory over her better fancied stablemate, Tessa Gillian, at 9 to 2. Jack Gerbers Bebe Grande, the 4-to-l favorite, was another five lengths away in third place. Bebe Grande finished second in the Two Thousand Guineas two days ago. It was not until two furlongs out in the eight-furlong event that Happy Laughter caught Tess Gillian, who had been setting the pace with the South African-owned Bebe Grande. But once Royal Chargers chestnut daughter struck the front, she forged ahead to win easily the 6,878 first prize. Best of three French challengers was Alexandre Bergers Nasti II., ridden by Rae Johnstone. Nastia II., always was in the i vanguard and finished fourth. The weather was miserable at the famous heath, with heavy, persistent rain making the going soft, resulting in the race being a hard test of stamina and speed. Jack Jarvis trains the first two finishers here at Newmarket, while the game Bebe Grande also is stabled here. Away best in a good start where the Irish filly. Belle Du Bois, Aga Khans Mahallat, Tudor Goddess and Tessa Gillian. At the two-furlong post, Tudor Goddess, Tessa Gillian and Bebe Grande were disputing the lead with Devon Vintage and Happy Laughter prominent. Approaching the bushes just past two furlongs out, Tessa Gillian led Bebe Grande, Nastia II. and Happy Laughter. As they went downhill, the two stable companions raced for the lead. Happy Laughter proved stouter, drawing away from Tessa Gillian going uphill to the winning post. Libator was fifth, Royal Diana sixth, Mahallat seventh, Fair Colleen eighth, Nectarine ninth and Dynastic tenth. Happy Laughter gave owner Wills his first classic success and trainer Jarvis his third One Thousand Guineas winner.
