FAYR

Fayr Jag had to battle hard in the rain-softened conditions to see off a smart field headed by outsider Kodiac and Allan added: "He's a firm ground horse really, but he handled things well today so the rain can't have got into the ground too much yet."

A fast-ground specialist and winner of the Golden Jubilee Stakes in 2004, Fayr Jag drifted from 14-1 to 16's before the sixfurlong event but defied the negative market vibes when getting up by a neck in the hands of David Allan.

Fayr Jag tracked the front-running Celtic Mill until asked to go and win his race approaching the final furlong.

Easterby won this with 33-1 shot Guinea Hunter four years ago, and he looks to have primed Fayr Jag for a repeat bid.

Fayr Jag is set to be joined by Chris Wall's Ashdown Express in the six-furlong event.

And it was left to Easterby senior to take the plaudits after Fayr Jag just held on to take the pounds 250,000 contest under Willie Supple, a year to the day after he had deadheated with Ratio for the Wokingham Handicap.

NAOMI MATTHEW: 5.20 Lady Layla, 5.50 Fayr Fall, 6.20 Al Manaal, 6.50 Sunny Side Up, 7.20 Judd Street, 7.50 Lord Franklin, 8.20 Pass Muster, 8.50 Symphony Star.

THIRSK: 2.20 Angels Calling, 2.55 Fayr Fall, 3.30 Qannaas, 4.05 Guiletta, 4.40 Fairest, 5.15 Tamara Bay, 5.45 Chosen One.

Another who could go well is Fayr Jag (100-1 generally).

Earlier, Fayr Jag got back in the winning groove with a gutsy performance in the John Smith's "Extra Cold" Chipchase Stakes.

FAYR JAG, winner of the 2004 Golden Jubilee Stakes, tops a list of 92 left in Saturday's Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Avonbridge, sent off the 3-1 favourite, was quickly into his stride and he set a swift pace as Johnny Murtagh settled Baron's Pit on the heels of the leader with Fayr Jag just behind.