ROBERTS AT HOME ON HOUSE Michael Roberts' tactical know-how helped to tip the balance in favour of the courageous Island House at muddy Goodwood today. The former champion's skills ensured that his mount secured the Badger Brewery Festival Stakes. The South African jockey wisely chose to make the running as the five-runner Listed contest threatened to develop into a crawl. Island House, the 6-4 favourite, was a willing accomplice and as Right Wing loomed threateningly found a little more when asked by Roberts to land the spoils by a neck. Roberts has fallen out of fashion with many British trainers but Island House's trainer Geoff Wragg continues to use him regularly. "Michael asked me if it was okay to go on if there was no pace and he did the right thing," said Wragg. "He kept a little up his sleeve, though I have to admit I was nervous when Pat Eddery came there on Right Wing. "Island House loves the soft ground and he's a game horse. But he probably isn't quite good enough to go to Royal Ascot. "I am sure, though, that there are plenty of races to be won with him. He might go to the Far East at the end of the season and then Dubai next March." Unfortunately Roberts' efforts did not satisfy the stewards, who gave him a one-day ban (June 3rd) for using his whip without giving his mount time to respond. Henry Cecil, a winner of the Lupe Stakes yesterday with Love Divine, continued his revival when he completed a double with Bina Ridge and Corinium. Corinium, left in the Vodafone Oaks at today's entry stage, took some time to warm up in the hands of Richard Quinn before going on to record a one and three-quarter length victory in the EBF Conqueror Stakes. She did not strike the front until inside the final furlong but was going away from Eurolink Raindance at the finish of the Listed contest. The filly is owned by Derek Clee and his wife Jean and he said: "We'll have to see about the Oaks but Richard said she would be suited by further. "I've been hoping for rain all week for her and I was delighted that my prayers were answered." Quinn teed up a double when steering the newcomer Bina Ridge to a comfortable six-length victory in the Motability Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Bina Ridge is entered in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot but owner Khalid Abdulla's racing manager Teddy Beckett said that race might come too soon. Eddery is another former champion still capable of showing the younger jockeys a thing or two. The Irishman put in a supreme effort to galvanise Pairumani Star to a short-head defeat of Murghem in the A & J Bull Handicap. Eddery and winning trainer John Dunlop, a director of Goodwood racecourse, have now had 390 winners between them on the track. "The jockey did a good job today and I certainly wasn't expecting a win here," said Dunlop. "I fancied this one the least of all my six runners today."
