Act Of Kalanisi continued Dr Richard Newland's excellent recent strike-rate when registering his first win over fences at Leicester.

The six-year-old was the Worcester trainer's fifth win from his last seven runners when taking the John O'Gaunt Novices' Chase. Fulfilling the promise of an encouraging debut effort over the bigger obstacles at Ascot earlier this month, Act Of Kalanisi (7-4) outpointed Ciceron by seven lengths.

The winner took over from long-time leader Court In Session as they rounded what should have been the final fence which they bypassed after Dubai Crest fell on the first circuit.

Dr Newland said: "He probably just needed the run at Ascot and it just sharpened him up. I'm pleased he's got his head in front for the first time for a while and he's been working very nicely at home. Hopefully, he can go on from there. It was a good confidence booster. I think we'll look to run him once more this side of Christmas.

"I'm not quite sure yet whether to go for another novice with a penalty or we might have a shot at a better race - we'll have a think about it. We'll stick to distances from two miles to two-four. I've never sure of his trip. I thought he might need two miles four, but a properly run race over two miles on a stiff track is not too bad for him. It might even suit him."

Gerard Galligan enjoyed his first winner in the saddle when scoring on Peak Seasons for Michael Chapman in the Castle Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase. The 9-1 outsider of the quintet led approaching four out and jumped well for his rider as he swept to a seven-length victory over Ouest Eclair.

Chapman said: "It's very pleasing because, generally, the horse is insulted by the press, but he is genuine and won by seven lengths today, going away. It's Gerard's first winner. He works for me which is why he claimed 10lb."

Champion jockey Tony McCoy made it 110 winners for the season when steering home Open Day (5-2 favourite) for his boss JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O'Neill in the Weatherbys Foreign Exchange Handicap Hurdle. Open Day had been off the track for 18 months before returning at Haydock 19 days earlier and showed he was tuned up by holding Grafite by a length and a half, with Minsky Mine third in a tight race.

Conditional jockey Trevor Whelan brought Ironically (5-1) with a perfectly-timed run to win the Ashby Magna Juvenile Fillies' Hurdle. The 5lb claimer produced the Neil King-trained four-year-old to head long-time leader Miss Conduct on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.

Red Rouble outpointed Nom De Guerre after a hard-fought tussle on the run to the line in the Katherine Swynford Handicap Chase. The 7-2 co-favourite, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies and owned and trained by his fathe, Nigel, gained the upper hand close home to win by three-quarters of a length.

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
O'Brien sounds War cry
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist

16 June 2013

Songbird aiming to fly high
Movie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation

15 June 2013

Marengo set for battle royal
Saddler's ready to rock - Oxx
Soprano primed to hit right notes
Balding receives OBE
Victory on a plate for Montaser
Magician run in the balance
Secret set to make Ascot stand
Probert return delayed
Nagle covers Maarek options
Ribblesdale chance for Lark
Walker hoping Guns will fire
Estimate in Royal Gold run