HUGH'S GLORY FOR KOHALA

David Barron's Kohala beat off a number of less exposed rivals to land the Bathwick Tyres St Hugh's Stakes.

The youngster had placed a creditable fifth in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and most recently filled the runner-up spot in a Sandown Listed race, but the betting indicated a few of her rivals were expected to improve past her.

Kohala was soon towards the front end in the hands of Jimmy Fortune and held off the challenge of dual winner Excelette by three-quarters of a length.

Strongly fancied debut winners such as Artistic Jewel and Free Verse failed to land a blow.

Fortune said: "They went off very quick and she travelled well in behind the leaders.

"She went by the leaders pretty easy but then she looked at the stands when she got to the front and she's probably won with a little bit in hand.

"David said she was a bit idle and I think he's right. She's a progressive little filly and I'm sure she could probably step up another gear."

Rockfella produced a game display from the front to land the Punter Southall Transaction Services Handicap under Eddie Ahern.

Denis Coakley's 11-1 chance was soon bowling along at the head of affairs and although the challengers were queuing up early in the straight, Rockfella kept finding more for pressure.

Spice Fair was given a vastly different ride to the winner, having been settled right out the back for much of the race before making stylish headway in the straight.

He looked the likely scorer heading inside the last couple of furlongs but was unable to reel in and Rockfella, who came home with a length and a quarter to spare.

Woodcote Place (9-2) ran out a comfortable winner of the Christopher Smith Associates 30th Anniversary Claiming Stakes for Patrick Chamings.

Jim Crowley appeared happy in the saddle from an early stage and only had to push his mount out to the line with hands and heels at the end to score by four lengths.

Ezdeyaad edged out Grand Piano for second.

Crowley said: "He enjoyed the ground and when he got out he really picked up well.

"Everything worked out well in what looked a competitive claimer on paper."

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