Affair shows class in Summer Stakes

Palace Affair appreciated the drop in class when running out an impressive winner of the Stanley Racing Summer Stakes at York today.

Toby Balding`s filly, who had finished only 11th behind sprint star Mozart in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, pounced two furlongs out to go away for an easy two-and-a-half-length victory over Night Haven.

The daughter of Pursuit Of Love, sent off at 11-2, provided Co. Antrim-born apprentice Stephen Carson with his first success in Listed company.

'She finished 12 lengths behind Mozart on firm ground last time and that isn`t too bad!' said Balding`s assistant and son-in-law Jonathan Geake.

'The ground was just right today and that is the key to her - she needs to make a print. There is a similar event at Newbury next week, the Hackwood Stakes, and if she comes out of this and there is a drop of rain she will run.'

Dandy Nicholls recorded a double in the opening two races.

He provided no fewer than five of the 16 runners in the opening Mr Kipling Exceedingly Good Cakes Stakes and collected the lion`s share of the prize money.

American Cousin, ridden by the trainer`s son Adrian, finished fast to land the spoils by a head from Eastern Trumpeter, with stable-companions Zuhair and Atlantic Viking taking third and fifth places respectively.

Nicholls did even better by making it a one-two in the Hearthstead Homes Stakes.

His 12-1 shot Peartree House, ridden more patiently than usual, led a quarter mile from home to land the Stg£15,000-added handicap under Joe Fanning, with stable-companion Hormuz (10-1) chasing him home.