Eddery draws a blank

RACING: Pat Eddery drew a blank at Salisbury yesterday in his quest to beat Lester Piggott's career total of 4,493 winners. The former champion jockey needs two victories to equal Piggott's tally and heads to Windsor tonight where he has four booked rides.

Eddery commented: "I'll be at Windsor tomorrow for four rides which have all got little chances and then it's on to Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

"I've got some cracking rides at the Royal meeting all week and hopefully if I've still got to get to Lester's total that is where I will do it.

"There's no meeting in the world like Royal Ascot and I've enjoyed plenty of success there over the years and if I better Lester's total over that five days I'll be over the moon."

Eddery came closest to a winner when Sandy City was runner-up behind newcomer Gamra in the first division of the Chamber Of Commerce Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The second division of the contest went to Welsh Diva who scored for the combination of jockey Richard Quinn and trainer Amanda Perrett.

Owner Jeff Smith is hoping Greenwood's short head call over Law Breaker in the Tote Placepot Showcase Handicap is a good omen for Persian Punch in next Thursday's Gold Cup where he will face a stiff challenge from Dermot Weld's Vinnie Roe, winner of the Irish and French St Legers last season.

Smith said: "He's as well as ever and we are hopeful he can go one better than when second in the race last year. He needs an extra race to get fully fit at his age these days but we are pleased with him."

Palace Affair had ground conditions in her favour and held off the late challenge of Grey Eminence in the featured Axminster Carpets Cathedral Stakes in the hands of Steve Carson.

Drying ground continues to be the order of the day at Ascot. The going remains good to soft on the straight course, good to soft, soft in places on the round course. "Overnight we had a millimetre of rain," said clerk of the course Nick Cheyne. "We've had two drying days, Friday and Saturday in particular were good drying days.

"We'll leave the ground as given at the moment. It's all drying out and improving and the penetrometer has gone to 3.8 today from 3.9."

Dual Guineas winner Rock Of Gibraltar (Michael Kinane) heads a field of nine horses to stand their ground at the final 48-hour declaration stage for the £250,000 St James's Palace Stakes tomorrow.

Aidan O'Brien's ace is joined by stablemates Landseer (Johnny Murtagh) and Sahara Desert.

Local star Falbrav proved too good for Godolpin's Narrative in the Group One Gran Premio di Milano in Milan yesterday.