Bay is boost for backers (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Bay is boost for backers

ALCESTER trainer Ray Brookhouse will have sent hundreds of local backers home happy from a sweltering Stratford last Sunday, writes Mervyn Collins.

On an afternoon when three favourites prevailed on the Birmingham Evening Mail Family Funday, Herne Bay stormed to a two-length triumph in the last after being sent off at generous odds of 10/1.

The handicapper had given the five-year-old gelding an 8lb rise in weights after a win at Uttoxeter last month, but Broo-khouse's mount overcame that obstacle to give J P McNamara the perfect race and a perfect climax for the sun-baked crowd.

Martin Pipe and Timmy Mur-phy teamed up to the opener with 100/30 shot Wardash after which the five-year-old gelding was bought back by the Well-ington yard for a massive £13,000 guineas.

In thew same Novices' Selling Hurdle, Firebird Rising, trained at Elmley Castle by Roy Broth-erton, finished third after being sent off at 50/1.

Sweet Diversion won for a third time at the course taking advantage of Mr Ed's fall at last that sent champion jockey Tony McCoy tumbling to the turf, while there was another surprise when Polar Passion, racing for the first time since last September roared in a 33/1 winner.

The afternon's feature race for the Stratford Summer Cup - the Birmingham Evening Mail Handicap Steeple Chase - saw Blakeney Coast comfortably land the top prize of £7,495.

Genuine Article, the 2004 winner, was sent off 7/2 favourite in the BEM Summer handicap Hurdle Race for the Stratford Summer Salver but failed to land a repeat while also spoiling trainer Mark Pitman's hopes of a third win in the past five years.

It was left to Naunton jockey Carl Llewellyn to take the plaudits when steering 10/1 chance Imperial Rocket to victory.

The penultimate race provided Cotswolds jockey Robert Thor-nton with another winner for Banbury handler Peter Hiatt as the well fancied Keltic Lord won for a second time in seven days in some style and with 22 lengths to spare.

Punters won't have to wait too long for the next meeting at Luddington Road because it's Ladies Day on Sunday with the first race at 2.10pm.

There's a chance for the women to impress with generous prizes on offer for Best Hat, Most Fashionable Lady, Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Couple.