Meanwhile, Jamie Spencer suffered another blow to his own title challenge with another three-day ban to follow the one received at Salisbury earlier in the week. He was found to have caused interference aboard Scintillo in the second race and will be out of action from August 30 to September 1. However, Spencer was all smiles halfan-hour later as he made a perfectly-judged challenge on Red Evie (5-1) to win the CGA Hungerford Stakes. Welsh Emperor looked like repeating last year's success in the Group Two contest as Tom Tate's front-runner had the rest of the field beaten. But Spencer, who held Red Evie up in last place in the early stages, got a great run out of the Michael Bell-trained filly to get up in the last stride to win by a short head.

Carol Bartley gathered a late effort from Tifernati (5-1) to collect the Bathwick Tyres Ladies Derby Handicap at Newbury yesterday.

Nina Carberry sought to maintain her position as the top female rider by striking for home early on 9-4 favourite Seeking The Buck.

But Tifernati flew down the centre of the track and pulled an easy five lengths clear.

"I can't remember the last Derby I won, " joked trainer William Haggas, referring to his victory in the real race at Epsom with Shaamit in 1996.

"This horse won his maiden over six furlongs in March and he's won over a mile and a half in August, so he's obviously just getting the hang of it."

Meanwhile, Sharp Nephew joined an illustrious roll of honour that includes Classic winners Haafhd and Lammtarra by getting his head in front in the Usk Valley Stud Stakes (registered as the Washington Singer).

A cluster of runners were in with a chance as they forced through the driving rain. But while Richard Hannon's duo Latin Lad and Scintillo went close, Sharp Nephew gained the day by a head under Frankie Dettori.