TRAINER Michael Dods was a relieved man at Catterick last night when Zhitomir took the £10,000 Best Dressed Lady Handicap.

"We've had lots of seconds and thirds lately, but at least we've now broken the hoodoo with Zhitomir," said a delighted Dods after the Vernon Spinks-owned gelding had claimed the most valuable prize on the card.

At one stage it didn't look like the consistent seven-year-old was going to overhaul Ann Stokell's Pawan, however Zhitomir found an extra gear near to the finish and eventually had a half-length to spare over his main rival as the pair the crossed the winning line.

Malton handler Brian Ellison's fears that the rain-softened ground would hinder the chances of his hot-favourite, Court Of Appeal, were well-founded when the 11/8 market leader could only finish third in the Hospitality Claiming Stakes.

Although Court Of Appeal appeared to have the race in the bag as he stormed into a clear lead rounding the final bend, the optimism of favourite backers proved short-lived as he was collared in the final 50 yards by both Gold Quest and Bollin Thomas.

Despite stumbling just inside the final furlong, Auvergne regained his momentum to take the seven-furlong Maiden Stakes under a fine front-running tactical ride by Mark Johnston's number one jockey, Kevin Darley.

* Aidan O'Brien's Coconut Beach was the best-backed horse with the sponsors for the third day in a row ahead of today's totesport Chester Cup and is now 9-2 clear favourite.

O'Brien has never had a runner on the Roodee before, and the lightly-raced four-year-old, the mount of Kieren Fallon, has been well-supported on the back of the team's 1000 and 2000 Guineas double last weekend.

Unbeaten last term, Coconut Beach is saddled with just 8st 5lb and ran solidly on his seasonal reappearance when finishing fifth under top weight at the Curragh.

Connections of second favourite Swift Sailor believe he can have a big say in the outcome, too.