Wahj brings Dwyer's long wait to a close

Chris Dwyer, who had gone 85 days without a winner, had his moment of glory delayed a little longer when racing at Chester yesterday was interrupted for 45 minutes because of a false patch of ground. The Newmarket trainer was among a deputation who inspected the track after the second race and then, once the running rail had been realigned, he returned to saddle Wahj for success in the featured £15,000 rated handicap.

"There was only a small patch of bad ground about two furlongs out, the rest of the course is perfect and it suited this fella," Dwyer said. "I'm so relieved to have a winner. It's been a long time."

* Rob Hughes has been appointed for a second term as chairman of the Betting Levy Board by Tessa Jowell, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. She said: "A number of uncertainties surround the forthcoming levy negotiations but Rob Hughes knows that he will have my full support in the months to come."