Dutch Connection rules Supreme under Jim Crowley at Goodwood

Dutch Connection returned to winning ways with victory in the Weatherbys Racing Bank Supreme Stakes at Goodwood.

The well-travelled five-year-old had not got his head in front since the Lennox Stakes over course and distance last summer, but took full advantage of a drop to Group Three company, beating the front-running Salateen by two lengths.

Jim Crowley was happy to track the leader on the easy-to-back 13-8 favourite before getting on top from a furlong and a half out, ultimately staying on nicely to record a confidence-boosting success.

Trainer Charlie Hills told Racing UK: "He was declared to run in the Lennox here a couple of weeks ago and unfortunately the ground wasn't quite right for him, so it was always the plan to bring him to back to a place he has been successful at before.

"It's an ideal trip for him, so it's been the plan for some time now. There's quite a good programme of seven-furlong Group races, we'll probably look to the Park Stakes at Doncaster next time and there's the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket.

"I'm sure this race will give him plenty of confidence going forward."

Hills added that sprinter Battaash, who boiled over at the start and was ultimately well beaten in the Nunthorpe at York, is likely to be seen next in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Chantilly on Arc day.