Southampton ace Charlie Austin beats Michael Owen with Chester winner

Michael Owen's football career may overshadow that of Charlie Austin's but the Southampton striker enjoyed his day in the sun at Chester on Wednesday when his Another Batt outpointed Owen's Dragons Tail.

Another Batt showed plenty of guts in defying top weight in the Abbey Logistics Handicap to lift Austin on top in the battle of the forwards.

Austin is a member of winning owners Excel Racing, while former England star Owen is the owner of Dragons Tail, who made a bold bid from the front.

Down in class, the George Scott-trained Another Batt (5-1 joint-favourite) looked like he would go away to win comfortably, but Dragons Tail stuck to his task gamely, only going down by a neck.

Scott said: “He wears his heart on his sleeve and is wonderful to train.

“He deserved a chance in this grade, he had the perfect draw and Silvestre (de Sousa) is made for him.

“There are valuable races at Goodwood and Haydock for him and then at Ascot it will either be the Britannia or the Jersey, I would think.”

De Sousa said: "He has been running consistent races and he is not a bad little horse.

"There was plenty of speed. I was happy to take a lead, he is a horse who you can take to the front or sit behind the leaders.

"I'm happy with him at the distance - I wouldn't change anything."