Victoria Cup first for Cox as River Nymph bounces back to his best

River Nymph bounced back to form at the best possible time when staying on to provide Clive Cox with his first Victoria Cup success.

The four-year-old, who was bred by owner Trevor Fox, finished down the field in his last two starts over a mile but connections kept the faith and he repaid it with a battling victory under Adam Kirby.

Unlike much of the British population, Cox must have been pleased to see sustained rainfall on Saturday, as River Nymph was perfectly suited by the testing conditions as he held on to win the 7f cavalry charge by half a length from Eagleway, who was sent off at 80-1.

"We've trained the whole family and I'm over the moon for Trevor his owner," said Cox. "It's special for him to win this with a homebred. He's salt of the earth and has been a big supporter of our yard.

"River Nymph has always encouraged us at home. He won here last year but didn't quite get the mile on his last two starts. There's no hiding place in a race like this off a mark of 100 but the ground was ideal for him, we'll have to look at black type races now."

Demolition job

Rossa Ryan hailed Albaflora as one of the most exciting fillies he has ever sat on after her scintillating victory in the Buckhounds Stakes.

The four-year-old, who was sent off the 4-1 favourite in the Listed contest, showed a remarkable turn of foot inside the final furlong to finish seven lengths clear of 50-1 shot Tribal Craft.

"I didn't expect that," said Ryan, still smiling long after dismounting the winner. "She did well last year but is a half-sister to Aloe Vera, who didn't shine until four. Soft ground is important to her. They went a real gallop but she quickened away to the line easily.

Albaflora: powered seven lengths clear of her rivals in the Listed Buckhounds StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"She's probably the closest to a Group 1 filly I've ever sat on. I've never had a feeling like that on a filly – she's really exciting."

Ryan followed up in the next race as Go Bears Go made the perfect start to his career with a debut success in the 5f novice.

The David Loughnane-trained two-year-old quickened well inside the final furlong and held off the challenge of the favourite Fall Of Rome.

"We think a lot of him," said Loughnane. "Robson Aguiar has gone from strength to strength as a breeze-up consigner and has done a great job with this horse as he knew his job when he came to us.

"Go Bears Go has a great mind and attitude. He's straightforward and makes my job easy. It's hard not to look at him as a Coventry horse. I don't think we've got even close to the bottom of him yet and he will be a better horse on better ground over six furlongs."

On Ryan, the trainer added: "He's a quality rider. He's as good as anybody else riding and he's going to go a long way in the saddle."

Go Bears Go and Fall Of Rome were introduced at 20-1 with Betfair for the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, run at Royal Ascot on June 15.

Thrilling finish

Cheveley Park Stud's Lights On just held off the challenge of Dreamloper to win by a short head in a tight finish to the mile fillies' handicap.

The daughter of Siyouni held a narrow advantage inside the final furlong but was almost caught by the fast-finishing runner-up.

"The pace made things tricky," said jockey Richard Kingscote. "She settled well with a bit of cover and was in front for a long time. She's learning all the time and hopefully she can continue to develop."

Off the mark

Hollie Doyle claimed the opening leg of the Silk Series for female riders as Mystery Show narrowly denied Basilicata to win the 1m2f fillies' handicap.

The jockey struck earlier on the card with Louganini, who landed the 1m4f handicap from Group One Power.

Results, replays and analysis

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here