Beau does bookies a favour

Smokin Beau did the bookmakers a good turn for the second Saturday running when romping home in the the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes at Ripon today.

Nick Littmoden’s charge had landed a Haydock Park sprint seven days ago at 25-1 and off a 5lb higher mark here, was sent off at 16-1.

But he turned a competitive-looking renewal of the six-furlong handicap into a procession.

The meeting survived a 7.30am inspection after torrential rain earlier in the week had put the fixture in doubt, and the going was officially described as soft, heavy in places.

The majority of the runners in the £50,000 (€75,000) feature made for the far side once the stalls opened.

Pieter Brueghel was in front of the seven racing on the stands side, with Joe Fanning sending Smokin Beau straight into the lead on the far rail.

There appeared little between both groups at halfway, but as the leaders approached the last of the six furlongs it was obvious that Smokin Beau had the call.