MARK Johnston rounded off Royal Ascot in the best possible way last Saturday as Oriental Fox ran out an easy winner of the Queen Alexandra Stakes under an excellent ride from Joe Fanning.

The seven year-old, who also broke the track record, came home with seven lengths to spare and afterwards the winning trainer said: "This race was perfect for Oriental Fox if he was on song and I didn't think he was on song. He had a fracture in his left hind fetlock and he was given a long time off. He was unlucky in the Northumberland Plate before and the owner said he could run at Ascot if he didn't run in that race as well."

Back to local action, there was a very taking performance by Chiringuita in the maiden at Pontefract last Sunday.

Speaking about a horse that has a bright future on the evidence of this race, Middleham trainer James Bethell said: "I've always liked Chiringuita, right from day one. She's a filly that, whatever she did today, she was always going to be better in a month's time, as she's so big and gangly. I think seven furlongs will be her trip and I'd like to think she will be up to Listed class."

Carlisle staged their big meeting of the year, and once again Johnston and Fanning were the men to follow, teaming up for a double on the day, including the prestigious Carlisle Bell with Ifwecan.

Although showing glimpses of form earlier this year, the four-year-old appeared to have lost his way in recent outings.

Quickly away from a favourable low draw, the winner was never headed, running out a two-and-a-quarter-length winner.

Johnston said afterwards: "It is a great relief to get him back winning. Poor Douglas Livingston (owner) has probably had about 30 runners since this horse won for him last year.

"This horse has run a lot and taken a long time to get back to this class and get the opportunity to dominate in a race like that."

Hawatif got the ball rolling for Johnston and Fanning when putting her previous experience to good use with a victory from the front in the opening two-year-old maiden.

Finishing fourth on her debut at Haydock earlier this month, she had far too much speed for her rivals in posting a facile six-length victory.

Johnston said: "She did it very well and I am delighted. We were expecting her to step up on that (debut run), but you don't know what you are up against. But she can't do any more than win it like she did.

"I think six furlongs is fine for her, but we wondered whether she would stay further as she does stay on very well at the finish. She looks very much a sprinter as she is a very strong little filly."

Jockey Ben Curtis enjoyed another fruitful visit to the track after pocketing a 109-1 double.

After landing a treble at the last meeting, Curtis was quickly back among the winners when steering the Karl Burke-trained newcomer Moondyne Joe to glory in the opening Maiden Auction Stakes.

Curtis made his second return to the winner's enclosure when driving home Alan Swinbank's Kinema to glory in the Totepool Cumberland Plate.

The 16-1 chance powered to the front late on to deny rallying top weight Innocent Touch by three-quarters of a length.

A delighted Swinbank said: "Kinema ran at York last time and hung right for the first time, so we thought going right-handed would suit him. They've also gone a good gallop, which has helped. The Lanark Silver Bell could be a nice race for him."

Tomorrow, the attention turns to Newcastle and in particular the John Smith's Northumberland Plate.

Brian Ellison would love nothing more than to land the Pitmen's Derby, but so far it has eluded him.

With ante-post favourite Seamour and Totalize, first and second at Haydock last month, set to be joined by Irish Cesarewitch winner Montefeltro and Buthelezi, Ellison has four strong candidates. He also has Apterix waiting in the wings should he make the cut.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ellison said: "I've never had such a strong team and the way they all worked on Saturday was fantastic.

"This has been the plan for a long time and it's all coming together. It would be great to win the final Plate on turf, wouldn't it?

"Seamour is a cracking horse who we've always rated. He's had six races and won four of them. He quickened up well at Haydock and is in great form, but would not want the ground too firm.

"Totalize came back in heavy and was having his first run for nine months. He has come on a lot for the run and so has Montefeltro, who has a good turn of foot when he's right. He seems back to the kind of form he showed when winning the Irish Cesarewitch and, at a big price, I think he'll run well."

"Stamina and trip are the questions," said the Malton handler.

"His run at Epsom was very encouraging and he has been really pleasing me at home.

"He was very badly drawn and Richard Hughes said afterwards that all he does is stay."