CLAINES trainer Dr Richard Newland enjoyed a victory on his home racecourse at Worcester thanks to 11-4 favourite Royale Knight.

Jockey Christopher Ward rode the seven-year-old bay gelding to a fourth career win, heading second-placed Waltzing Tornado by one length in the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase.

Ross-on-Wye handler Michael Scudamore enjoyed a success with outsider Princesse Fleur a 25-1 victor by three-quarters-of-a-length in the Neu-Servo Handicap Hurdle (Division One).

Top trainer Nicky Henderson also bagged a winner through Anquetta (10-1).

Eight races made for some entertaining action at Pitchcroft yesterday but the dull weather and regular drizzle did not help.

RESULTS 2.10pm: 1 Alwaystheoptimist (Kielan Woods, 7-2), 2 Stormy Oscar (H Derham, 9-4 second-fav). Seven ran. Distances: 13 lengths, 11 lengths, 23 lengths. Winning trainer: P W Middleton.

2.40pm: 1 Royale Knight (C J Ward, 11-4 fav), 2 Waltzing Tornado (Donal Fahy, 20-1), 3 Maid Of Silk (N Fehily, 16-1), 4 Victoria Rose (L Treadwell, 16-1). Sixteen ran. Distances: 1 length, 1¾ lengths, 14 lengths. Winning trainer: Dr R D P Newland.

3.10pm: 1 Anquetta (D Bass, 10-1), 2 Woolcombe Folly (R Mahon, 6-1), 3 Rajnagan (L Treadwell, 5-1). Nine ran. Distances: 1 length, 3 lengths, 7 lengths. Winning trainer: N J Henderson.

3.40pm: 1 Roll On Ruby (D Devereux, 3-1 fav), 2 No No Romeo (N Fehily, 9-2), 3 Dahteste (S Twiston-Davies, 14-1). Twelve ran. Distances: 6 lengths, 10 lengths, 1½ lengths. Winning trainer: P Bowen.

4.10pm: 1 Rime Avec Gentil (Robert Williams, 17-2), 2 Explained (D C Costello, 12-1), 3 Flying Phoenix (R T Dunne, 12-1). Ten ran. Distances: 3 lengths, ½ length, ½ length. Winning trainer: B J Llewellyn.

4.40pm: 1 Princesse Fleur (L Treadwell, 25-1), 2 Emerald Rose (S Twiston-Davies, 14-1), 3 Transfer (D Bass, 12-1). Twelve ran. Distances: ¾ length, 5 lengths, 4½ lengths. Winning trainer: M Scudamore.

5.10pm: 1 My Lad Percy (P E Corbett, 3-1 fav), 2 Get Home Now (T J O'Brien, 11-2), 3 Adios Alonso (B J Poste, 4-1 second-fav). Thirteen ran. Distances: Neck, 7 lengths, ½ length. Winning trainer: Miss R Curtis.

5.40pm: 1 Kilrush (N Fehily, 7-1), 2 Grovemere (T J O’Brien, 12-1), 3 Master Cardor Visa (R Hatch, 9-2 joint-fav). Eleven ran. Distances: 1 length, 25 lengths, 1½ lengths. Winning trainer: N P Mulholland.