Sangster hat-trick

ROYAL COURT produced a performance of grit and determination in a Chester mudbath yesterday to crown a memorable week for owner Robert Sangster.

In the stamina-sapping ground lie dug deep to hold off gallant 11-year-old Further Flight in the Ormonde Stakes and deprive jockey Michael Hills of the 1,000th winner of his career.

It was another great victory for Sangster in a six-day period that began with his Revoque finishing an unlucky second in the 2,000 Guineas.

With the victories of Panama City (Chester Vase) and Top Cees (Chester Cup) Chester-born Sangster was securing the feature race on each day of the historic meeting.

Unfortunately the pools millionaire was unable to witness his latest triumph, having to attend meetings in London.

As the rain tumbled down, trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam joked: "Robert's probably done the right thing missing this weather. I nearly didn't come myself.

"The ground was probably too soft for Royal Court and he's done really well to win in the conditions. I'm just sorry that we beat Further Flight as I was Barry Hills' assistant when the horse was a three-year-old.

"I'd like to aim Royal Court at the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and at the end of the season we might be thinking about the Arc."

Further Flight had led two furlongs out, offering brief hopes of a famous victory but in the end he was unable to withstand the late thrust of Royal Court, who is seven years his junior.

Surprise Mission sluiced home in the Hill-Dickinson Wayman-Hales Rated Handicap to make it three out of three for Lynda Ramsden at the Chester Cup meeting this year.

Mrs Ramsden had been successful on Wednesday with Top Cees (Chester Cup) and Surprise Mission's full-brother Bishops Court.

It rained on and off all day and after Albert The Bear's victory in the Wynn Handicap, the stewards inspected the course to check whether it would be possible to stage the final race.

They quickly gave the go ahead and it was The Butterwick Kid that got up near the line to pip the favourite Raffles Rooster.

The meeting began with an impressive victory for Bodfaridistinction in the Sefton Fillies' Maiden.