Harry Bentley happy to settle for hat-trick after hopes for four-timer dashed

Harry Bentley took the riding honours with a short-odds hat-trick on Don Armado, Summerghand and Thimbleweed, but hopes of a rare four-timer foundered when Red Striker, owned in part by Sir Alex Ferguson and the shortest-priced ride of them all, could not quite reel in front-runner Cote D'Azur in the 1m2f handicap.

Reflecting on a successful afternoon, Bentley, who is looking forward to riding Diamond Jubilee fifth Projection in Newbury's Hackwood Stakes on Saturday, said: "It's been a good day. I thought I'd have four, but every time I got close to Cote D'Azur he pulled out a bit more, which surprised me as he'd been keen and I thought he would be the first beaten."

He added: "Don Armado had been a good second last time he ran at Nottingham and he picked up nicely in the nursery, and Summerghand quickened again when challenged by the favourite in what was a tactical four-runner race for the six-furlong handicap.