Four market leaders came home last time, but this was very much one for the bookies.

Despite a spate of non runners as a result of the drying ground reducing the field in every race, finding winners seemed to more than most punters could manage, with Trinculo taking the opener at 10-1 to give a glimpse of things to come.

Several jockeys made a dash to the track from their afternoon rides - Richard Hughes rode a double at Ascot in the shape of Bharah and Jimmy Styles.

Punters latched on to this, sending Buddy Marvellous off at 5-2 to step on his Windsor debut in the second, the PCA Long Service Awards Presentation Maiden Auction Stakes.

However, Hughes was hard at work a furlong out and Buddy Marvellous weakened to finish only fifth behind 16-1 shot Brierty, who stepped up on her seventh place at Ripon last time out to beat Lesley's Choice by three-quarters of a length.

Despite swishing her tail, the Declan Carroll-trained winner ran on gamely enough to see off her challengers.

Make a note of the third horse, Wing Home, who was well-backed and could step up next time for up and coming Lambourn trainer Tom Dascombe.

There was no respite in the third when James Doyle brought Synonymy with a storming late run to get up by a short head in the shadow of the post and beat top-weight Command Marshal, who tried to make all in the hands of Patrick Hills.

The winner was returned at 7-1 and beaten favourite, Dansilver, could only manage sixth place.

Course specialist Phluke took the fourth, the HGB Construction Ltd Handicap over seven furlongs, under Stephen Carson, who had made the journey from Lingfield Park after being unplaced aboard Hobson in the 4.55pm race.

Phluke has now won three out of his seven races here and saw off Prince of Thebes by half a length with Den's Gift a neck back in third.

Carson was successful at the last meeting on Support Fund and is becoming a jockey to follow at the course, especially when riding for Phluke's trainer, Eve Johnson Houghton.

Those who stuck with Hughes were eventually rewarded with an 8-1 winner when Opera Prince landed the fifth, a seven-furlong handicap, from Sylvias Grove and Castlebury. Hughes kicked on a furlong out and his mount had enough in reserve to last home by half a length.

There was no respite in the finale, as Chris Catlin scored aboard 9-1 shot Barring Decree, although they only had a neck to spare over Baraari, with Ethereal Flame a short head back in third place.

Ed Dunlop's Eureka Moment was sent off the 2-1 favourite to improve on her fourth place to Bushman at Windsor, but could not quicken up and finished sixth of the 11 runners.