Vive La Difference is a likeable winner for Allan

Vive La Difference, a course and distance scorer last month, was a runaway winner of yesterday’s feature race at Hamilton.

Ridden by David Allan and trained by near Malton by Tim Easterby, pictured, the well-backed 6-4 favourite slammed Strong Steps by four and a half lengths.

Ayrshire-born Allan said afterwards: “He has done well since coming to Tim even though he was a bit hot-headed to start with.

“He’s settled down better now and is a likeable, nice type of horse. The easier ground helped and he has the scope to continue to do well.”

The victory was the fourth winner (with three different horses) that various syndicate versions of Ryedale Partners have registered at Hamilton, while Scott Fyffe enjoyed his first winner in his own colours as the Jim Goldie-trained Party Fears Too shouldered top-weight to victory in division one of the Follow @hamiltonparkrc On Twitter Handicap.

Scott is the brother of prominent owner Jimmy Fyffe and the pair have enjoyed a fair bit of joint success over the years. “I’ve had a few runners in these red and black silks but this is the first time they have been successful,” said a delighted Scott Fyffe. Jamie Gormley booted home Highwayman for Darlington trainer David Thompson in the Saints & Sinners Racenight Next Week Handicap – the jockey’s sixth course winner this year.

Trainer Richard Fahey landed a remarkable 319-1 treble courtesy of Baronial Pride, Sioux Frontier and Royal Cosmic.