GLORIOUS GOODWOOD: Johnson denies Hannon a fifth straight Richmond prize

Johnston, who is something of a Glorious Goodwood specialist, notched his fourth victory of the week when Joe Fanning rode Heavy Metal to victory in the Group 2 Audi Richmond Stakes after going off at odds of 9/1.

It was a third win of the festival for Fanning - all on Johnston horses - as he held off a strong challenge from Richard Hughes on Master of War.

In doing so, Fanning denied Richard Hannon, Goodwood’s leading trainer in each of the past four seasons, a fifth straight Richmond Stakes victory and put Johnston two victories clear of Hannon in the bid to be 2012’s leading festival handler.

Jubilant Johnston said: “He was going so well at halfway that I thought I’d got the trip wrong again, because he did just that at Newmarket and didn’t get home.

“It looks like six furlongs is his right trip. I think he was just one of my horses that wasn’t right a few weeks ago.”

Johnston also admitted he might have made a mistake in lining up in-form Fanning for a trips to Thirsk and Hamilton on Saturday instead of keeping him on the Downs.

But no sooner had Johnston celebrated his fourth win in three days than the formidable Cecil/Tom Queally partnership were doing the same.

They scored with 6/1 contender Wild Coco in the iShares Fillies’ Stakes - better known as the Lillie Langtry Stakes. It was in contrast to the runner’s display in the same race last year.

French-trained outsider Jehannedarc (25/1) ran on well to finish second.

Jocelyn de Mowbray, representing Wild Coco’s owners Gestut Rottgen, said: “She comes from a stud near Cologne and the owners have got two fillies with Henry Cecil. It’s their first Group winner in England, so they’re very, very happy.

“She ran badly last time, but Henry has given her plenty of time and he’s always rated her. I’m sure she’ll go for better races now, but that’s up to the trainer.”

Jeremy Noseda’s Grandeur defied top weight to land the opener, the Betfred The Bonus King Stakes, with William Buick in the saddle enjoying his second win of Glorious 2012.

Buick was delighted by the three-year-old’s second Goodwood win of the season and said: “Everything happened for him early on. He got a nice lead, he travels really well and he likes the twists and turns of the place.

“A lot of good horses get beaten round here because they don’t handle the track, but he certainly does.”

There was a surprise winner of the EBF British Stallion Studs New Ham Maiden Fillies’ Stakes as 25/1 shot Annie’s Fortune romped home, ridden by Michael Murphy for Alan Jarvis

Jarvis said: “I’ve always thought a lot of her but she’s been on the grow all year and weak, and she’s only just ready to race properly.”

Franny Norton triumphed on Stirring Ballad (8/1) in the Tatler Stakes to give Andrew Balding his first success of the festival while Prince Khalid Abdullah followed up his Frankel win on day two with another victory, this time as James Doyle rode the Roger Charlton-trained Silver Lime first home in the Betfred Mobile Lotto Stakes.

It was a photo finish and it was another Johnston runner, Assizes, ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, who was pipped. Not that Johnston could complain about his festival so far.