DAVID NICHOLLS, the Sessay-near-Thirsk-based trainer, maintained the superb recent form of his stable when Victoria Peek obliged at rain-soaked Catterick yesterday, writes Colin Woods.

Following Tuesday's across-the-card treble at Newmarket and Pontefract, Victoria Peek notched Nicholls' fourth winner of the week with a clear-cut triumph over Crystal Mystic in the six-furlong Luncheon Suite.

Nicholls has stayed at Newmarket to saddle Bahamian Pirate in today's July Cup but his able sidekick, Ernie Greaves, was on duty to supervise affairs.

"She's been knocking on the door and deserved this; once the filly established a lead they were never going to catch her," said a delighted Greaves.

Tiamo did his career prospects no harm at all with a pulsating pillar-to-post success in the feature event on the card, the Tumeric Handicap.

The Mark Tompkins-trained southern raider answered jockey Seb Sanders' every call when the pressure was on in the short home straight, repelling the persistent challenge of Master Wells.

"We knew he'd stay the longer trip after scoring at Goodwood last time," said Tompkins' representative Ian Williams, greeting Tiamo back into the winners' enclosure.

"He's a tough sort and should go on again from this."

David Abell's well-known white and blue spotted colours were seen to winning effect when Tanforan breezed to an effortless victory in the Paddock Suite Handicap.

Leading northern rider, David Allan, only had to shake the reins at the son of Mujahid, who quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals, eventually clearing right away to collect by three lengths.

The opening two-year-old selling race went to Bill Turner's One Trick Pony, the heavily backed 6-4 favourite.

However, the winner will not be returning to Bill's Dorset yard, having been sold to Newcastle trainer Don Eddy for 8,400 guineas.

* Gamut earned a tilt at the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes with a hard-fought but ultimately clear-cut victory in the Princess of Wales's Edward St George Memorial Stakes at Newmarket.

Having taken the July Stakes earlier on the card, Kieren Fallon completed a Group-race double on the day with a totally contrasting ride.

Although the winner was challenged by Day Flight just inside the final two furlongs, Fallon had kept something in the tank and asked his mount to stretch on, which he did willingly.

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