Van takes chequered flag

Progressive three year old claims Listed prize

Last updated: 5th August 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Joe Fanning

Joe Fanning: Capped a fine week with victory at Chester

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Mark Johnston's fine run of form shows no sign of stopping as Van Ellis won the M&S Bank Queensferry Stakes at Chester.

Van Ellis was one of five winners on a super Saturday eight days ago for the Middleham handler which acted as a precursor for another glorious week of success on the Sussex Downs at Goodwood.

The three year old showed no ill effects from that valuable victory in the Sky Bet Dash Stakes at York as he just held on to land the six furlong contest by a neck and a head from Night Carnation and Hitchens.

Racing Wide

Drawn in nine, Joe Fanning was forced to race wide as Inxile took the field along from Hitchens with Night Carnation racing a shade keenly in a share of third.

Dandy Nicholls' charge was still boxing away inside the final furlong and kept to his task well but could finish only fourth after being swamped close home.

Hitchens could possibly be considered a shade unlucky having stumbled as he tried to take up the running rounding the home turn although he had plenty of time to get past the eventual winner in the straight and was caught for second by the strong finish of Night Carnation.

The remainder of the card was abandoned due to a waterlogged track.