River in full flow

River Royale found a gap to take the opening contest on the final day of the Craven meeting at Newmarket today.

The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained 11-2 shot travelled well on the stands rail, but had to switch a furlong out and lost valuable ground in the process.

Gathered up by Jimmy Quinn close home, he picked up his rivals in the final 50 yards to beat Oligarch and Hawkes Bay by a head and a neck in the bet365 Call 08000 322365 Handicap.

Chapple-Hyam is eyeing the valuable Tote Silver Bowl at Haydock next month for the winner, who was bought at the breeze-up sales over the road a year ago today.

“I think that was a pretty good race and he shouldn’t go up too much in the weights for winning by a head,” said the local trainer.

“He keeps on improving with every race and he has done well, having cost just 25,000 guineas.”