By Press Association

IT has been a long time between drinks for Sam Cooke who finally got back to winning ways in the Sky Bet Handicap at York.

Trained by Ralph Beckett, the five-year-old was a winner on the Knavesmire in his juvenile season - but had been without a win since scoring first time out the following year at Chester's May meeting.

He had been given a chance by the handicapper after running respectably in decent races this term and was produced perfectly by Rob Hornby.

Top-weight Jonny Drama hit the front just outside the furlong marker, only to be immediately challenged by Throne Hall - but the 14-1 chance Sam Cooke quickened up best of all.

Hoo Ya Mal had run a promising race on his debut and made no mistake in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes.

With £70,000 up for grabs it is the most expensive race of its type run all season and always attracts a smart field.

Roger Fell approached the Ebor meeting with high hopes for La Trinidad and, while he failed to deliver, The Flying Ginger was an all-the-way winner of the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap.

The 33-1 chance has been chasing black type of late, but Ben Curtis got his fractions spot on in front.

Rifleman made amends for unshipping Ryan Moore the last time he rode him with victory in the Sky Bet Mile Handicap.

The three-year-old, trained by John and Thady Gosden, had got rid of Moore inside the final furlong when in second place at Sandown in April but there was no repeat as the 8-1 chance beat Isla Kai by half a length.

In the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes, Frankie Dettori rode the 4-6 favourite Stadivarius home in first before Lusail came in for trainer Richard Hannon in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes.

North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby triumphed in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes with Winter Power.