MARK Johnston struck again at the meeting when Yalta, who looked very talented in the spring but disappointed at Royal Ascot and the Newmarket July Meeting, bounced right back to form in the Group 3 Victoria Racing Club Molecomb Stakes.

The theory was that Ed Dunlop’s Global Applause would be suited by this very fast five furlongs on ground getting quicker and he was made a short-priced favourite. However, after holding every chance towards the outer he proved no match for the winner, who accelerated away for James Doyle to beat stable-companion The Last Lion, recording a course record time for two-year-olds of 57.14 seconds.