Great success for Royal Shakespeare

Royal Shakespeare (9-4) gained a deserved success in the Agfa Hurdle - but he was somewhat fortunate that German raider Fiepes Shuffle fell at the last when clear.

An ex-sprinter in his native homeland, the Christian Von Der Recke trained six-year-old set an express gallop in front and looked to have the race in the bag when he sent Robert Thornton crashing at the last flight.

It was left to Tom Scudamore aboard the favourite to claim the prize which extends Steve Gollings’ likeable gelding’s lead at the top of the Order of Merit table.

Brett Johnson’s Alph showed improved form to finish one and a quarters lengths away in second, with the consistent Mister McGoldrick two lengths further back in third.

The novice Rasharrow ran well for a long way before mistakes at the final two flights cost him any chance of victory.