THE Ladbrokes Handicap over seven furlongs was a typical Goodwood handicap with a big prize – over £62,000 in this case – with all the usual problems to overcome, especially with 17 in total lining up.

The punters did well, with one 4/1 joint-favourite Flaming Spear winning well and the other, Vale Of Kent, saving the each-way money in fourth.

Quite apart from his role as chairman of Brighton in the Premier League, winning owner Tony Bloom is a shrewd operator in valuable handicaps. It was not Stratum’s day in the Ebor but Flaming Spear, with Adam Kirby happy to let him drop in and come with a long, raking run on the outside, finished strongly to pull nearly two lengths clear of Cape Byron. Mark Johnston had third and fourth with Lake Volta a nose ahead of Vale Of Kent.

“He can be a bit of a thinker going into the stalls but afterwards he’s all right,” said winning trainer Dean Ivory of Flaming Spear. “I’ve been patient with him and it’s paid off today.”

A return to listed or Group 3 class could be in the offing, although Flaming Spear has plenty of pace and the Ayr Gold Cup is another possibility. He moved to Ivory from Kevin Ryan and had twice run well in hot Ascot handicaps. He clearly has more than a touch of class.

Plenty of rain fell before Sunday’s meeting and four came out of the Group 3 Supreme Stakes over seven furlongs.

That left Sir Michael Stoute’s Dream Of Dreams as 7/4 favourite and he led but was reeled in by Richard Hannon’s 7/1 chance Anna Nerium, who recovered her spring form, when she followed a victory in the Free Handicap with a close seventh in the 1000 Guineas.