Surprises at Chester

There was a shock for punters in the Cheshire County Council Foster Care EBF Maiden Stakes, as James Bethell's 25-1 chance Stainley just got the verdict in a tight finish.

Stainley soon took up the running under Willie Supple. After shaking off odds-on shot Broken Spur, he held the fast-finishing Methusaleh by a head. Brave Fight was three-quarters of a length further back in third.

Bethell said: “He ran very well at Pontefract last time, and has been working well, but he has been crying out for the trip and for some cut in the ground and he got both today.”

There was another turn-up when Fran Ferris gained his first success for the Lynda Ramsden stable on the bottom weight Tanforan (20-1) in the Halliwell Jones BMW - Mile Handicap.

It was another close call too, Ferris chalenging late to catch Primo Way right on the line and score by a short head, with Little Jimbob taking the minor berth.

Tanforan was recording his third success of the campaign, and Mrs Ramsden’s representative Kenny Williams said: “Fran gave him a perfect ride, he rode exactly to orders.”

Ferris added: “I was always confident I was going to get there.”