THE opening Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award Rous Stakes at Ascot, a listed event over the minimum trip, went to Michael Dods’ 11/1 chance Intense Romance, who was always there and held on bravely for Callum Rodriguez to deny Richard Fahey’s Mr Lupton by a neck.

The meant an all-northern finish, with Darlington edging out north Yorkshire. It also gave Dods the perfect start to the weekend, memorably completed by Mabs Cross, who landed the Prix de l’Abbaye at a similar price.

“Intense Romance is so tough and so genuine.

“The more it rained and the softer the ground got, the happier we were,” Rodriguez said.

Sand’s Ascot win

JAMIE Osborne wins his share of valuable Ascot handicaps and was on the mark again as the well-backed 5/1 chance Raising Sand squeezed through for 3lb claimer Nicola Currie to lead inside the final furlong and pull two lengths clear of course specialist Ripp Orf in the seven-furlong Bet With Ascot Challenge Cup. Shady McCoy and Vale Of Kent came next.

Raising Sand had led home his group in the Cambridgeshire the week before and was helped by a high number towards the stands’ side this time. Indeed, the first three were drawn 17,18 and 15. He was third in the equivalent race last year and has now won three times at Ascot, so he may well be back for the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day, especially if the ground is testing again.

Currie, one of a cluster of female riders to make an impression this year, completed a double on Chris Dwyer’s Erissimus Maximus, 10/1, in the closing five-furlong handicap.

It was also a good day for Harry Bentley, who won the seven-furlong Listed October Stakes for fillies and mares on Ralph Beckett’s Di Fede, 13/2, who was much too good for Red Starlight and 13 others.

Nuts Well lands Kelso feature

THERE was more than £24,000 going to the winner of the NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase at Kelso on Sunday.

On better ground than in the south, Brian Hughes came from the back to win quite tidily on Ann Hamilton’s seven-year-old Nuts Well, who shook off a mistake at the last to head the front-running The Flyingportrait and hold Vosne Romanee by just under two lengths.

Dalglish enjoying

second career

KEITH Dalglish has made a success of training since retiring early from the saddle. The Lanarakshire handler enjoyed one of his most lucrative days to date when 8/1 shot Summer Daydream held 7/2 favourite Beat Le Bon by three-quarters in the Listed UK Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar on Saturday.

Connor Beasley made ground to lead against the far rails with well over a furlong to go and Summer Daydream readily repelled Beat Le Bon. It meant Richard Hannon was responsible for the runner-up in the big sales races at both Newmarket and Redcar.

Rockerfeller takes well to chasing

NEIL King’s Lil Rockerfeller has had a rich and varied career already. An established competitor in the top staying hurdles, he also enjoyed a runaway win off a low weight at Glorious Goodwood in August.

His novice chase career started well at Uttoxeter on Sunday when he justified 11/10 favouritism under Wayne Hutchinson in the Gordon Horner 85th Birthday Beginners’ Chase.

Picking up Nicky Henderson’s Wenyerreadyfreddie, he scored by a length and a half.

King had already won the opening handicap hurdle with Third Estate at the same price.