Deserved success for Primevere

Goodwood's ground will rarely be as testing but conditions posed no discomfort for Primevere.

Goodwood's ground will rarely be as testing but conditions posed no discomfort for Primevere as she registered her first victory of the year in the Eve Trakway Foundation Stakes.

The Eve Trakway Foundation Stakes looked a logical target for Roger Charlton's filly, as she had been the runner-up in two consecutive Group Threes and had shown form on going at each end of the spectrum and she registered her first victory of the year in the Listed event.

Primevere (9-2) was engaged in battle with 11-8 favourite Ektihaam, having his first start since the French Derby in June, and the four-year-old filly had the advantage over the younger colt as they approached the last furlong.

But her mind began to wander and Ektihaam very nearly made the most of his second chance, eventually reducing the deficit to a neck.

"James (Doyle) said when she got in front she just pulled up a little, but it's hard to hold onto them in this ground," Charlton said.

"She's been very consistent - she was second in Ireland and second at Windsor, and she deserved this.

"I don't know where she'll go now. I was thinking about the EP Taylor Stakes in Canada, but Ed Dunlop says Snow Fairy could go there. We'll have to see. I should think she'll be retired at the end of the year."

It was a good day for Jeremy Noseda, William Buick and owner Paul Roy combined, who combined with a pair of two-year-old winners.

Zamoyski (7-2) achieved slightly more on the figures when staying on a length and a quarter clear of 8-13 favourite Pythagorean in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Loewe Maiden Stakes.

But the grey Sweet Deal (3-1) applied himself well to stick his neck in front of Mr Fitzroy in the RH Hall EBF Maiden Stakes.

Noseda said by telephone: "The first horse is a backward horse, I'll have to speak to Paul but I'd be inclined to put him away for next year.

"With Sweet Deal, there a various reasons why I could put a line through his run at Wolverhampton.

"He'll stay a mile and a quarter and wouldn't have wanted the ground that soft. He could have one more run, but again I'd have to speak to Paul."

The Hildon Natural Mineral Water Handicap was divided, and the opening leg went to a thoroughly likeable individual in the Amanda Perrett-trained Signed Up (3-1 favourite).

A late-developing Rail Link colt, he had been absent since landing a Sandown maiden in early June but stretched nicely clear along the stands rail.

"He's a lovely horse," said Perrett. "He did really well to win at Sandown and the time off has done him no harm.

"I think a mile-three was the bare minimum and hopefully he'll become a nice staying horse."

Full of just as much potential could be another of Prince Khalid Abdullah's colts, Eagles Peak, who was produced by Sir Michael Stoute to take the Discovery Foods Handicap after an absence of 406 days.

"He had a problem and was given time - he was back in Ireland for a while," said the owner's racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe.

"We were getting ready for a positive campaign last year and I think Michael and his staff have done a marvellous job to get him back. He should improve again, too."

Jamie Spencer proved a useful foil for Ghost Protocol as he switched to the centre of the track to justify his position as 7-2 favourite for division two of the mile and three handicap.

"He loves soft ground and has come up against some pretty decent horses - he was third to Grandeur and third to Prussian earlier in the year," said trainer David Simcock.

"He's always shown ability, but it's a matter of channelling it."

The 11-year-old Efistorm (33-1) looked to have the legs of a horse half his age as he bounded home in the 3663 First For Food Service Handicap.