AN evening fixture at Chester Racecourse is perennially popular and Tuesday was no exception when 13,500 people flocked to the Roodee to enjoy a summer evening's entertainment.
Favourite backers got off to a good start when Brassini showed a good turn of foot in the straight to pass the long time leader Dalarossie, who had taken advantage of being drawn in stall one to hug the rail and lead the field over the minimum five-furlong trip. Jamie Spencer brought the 11-10 favourite up the centre of the course to win the Kemira Growhow EBF Maiden Stakes by one and a half lengths.
There was an exciting finish to the Ernst & Young Handicap Stakes as one of the 11-4 joint favourites Torrens, ridden by Paul Hanagan, found a gap inside long-time leader
Whatizzit and grabbed a slender lead two furlongs out. Red Lancer attempted to foil Torrens with a run up the middle of the track.
The two horses battled gamely and the photo finish went by a short head to Torrens.
Another duel unfolded in the high-streetvouchers.com Handicap Stakes after the pacesetter Shot To Fame flattened out and four horses were closely bunched passing the winning
post. Course and distance winner H Harrison, sent off at 7-2, got his head in front of the fast finishing Gallantry to land his fourth victory of the season.
Trainer Ian McInnes said: 'He'll have a steady away break now, that's his 13th win.'
Jamie Spencer notched up a double with success aboard the 5-1 shot Hoh Hoh Hoh in the Interactive World Handicap Stakes. Spencer explained: 'It was plan B, we were slowly away and I had to be patient. He was always going to win, provided the line didn't come too soon.
'I was always full of horse and he won smartly in the end.'
The winning distance was a neck as the winner swept through the field relegating Jilly Why to second place.
Three horses were closely bunched as they galloped over the line in the tradeonly.co.uk Handicap Stakes with the 9-2 favourite Yes One getting up to win for jockey Eddie Ahern by a short head in the closing strides.
Danehill Silver led a closely bunched field before losing his place and Cheshire Prince looked to head the winner for a stride or two but Yes One fought back and gained a crucial advantage on the line.
Shropshire trainer Mark Brisbourne was celebrating after the Double Take Studios Handicap Stakes for lady amateur riders when his runners occupied the first three places.
Sarah Bosley partnered the three quarters of a length winner, Prelude, who was returned at 33-1.
Dream Of Paradise had forced the early pace but faded and Acuzio, ridden by Nina Carberry, looked to have the race won when pulling clear of the field around the final bend, but the partnership had to settle for second place. Compton Dragon finished a neck further back in third place.
