With persistent downpours having drenched Newbury before racing, the going description was quickly changed to soft – in stark contrast to the balmy conditions usually associated with the three-day Dubai Summer Festival.

The unseasonable weather robbed the Rose Bowl Stakes of John Gosden’s odds-on favourite Showcasing, but provided Hannon with the middle-leg of his brace.

Duplicity only raced at Warwick last week and appreciated the drop back to six furlongs to come around rivals under Richard Hughes and see off Brocklesby winner Hearts of Fire by a length.

Hannon said of the 15-2 chance: “I was happy with him first time out, but he didn’t stay seven furlongs at Warwick last week.

“Where we go next, I don’t know, but he could be one for the Horris Hill (at Newbury) later on.”

Hannon’s six-strong hand in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing EBF Maiden Stakes was reduced to three due to the rain, but he still managed to saddle the first and fourth home in Emerald Commander and Gene Autry.

The former was turned out quickly, having shaped with promise at the July meeting nine days earlier, and champion jockey Ryan Moore had to provide very little assistance for the 4-5 favourite to oblige by two and a half lengths.

Hannon said: “All three of mine have ran well, and the winner is a big tough horse.

“He has won it very easily, and what more could you ask?”

Hannon then turned to Jamie Spencer for the ride aboard 11-4 favourite Sister Clement in the TKP Surfacing Handicap, and the filly could not have done the job better with her three-and-a-quarter-length verdict.

Eve Johnson Houghton came close to withdrawing The Cheka (9-2) from the Shadwell “Nunnery Stud” Conditions Stakes after his near-year-long absence.

A series of niggling problems had sidelined the three-year-old, who is part-owned by comedian Mel Smith, but he overcame a lack of conditioning to sweep down the outside and make a winning return by a neck.

Johnson Houghton said: “Three hundred and twenty-one days is a long time off. I knew he would need the race and is having a good blow.

“I do love him as he is a serious horse and he will come on a lot.

“He only ever does enough and it is hard to get him fit enough.

“If he progresses I would love to run him in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - you have got to have an ambition!”

The testing conditions proved right up Conniption’s street as Brian Meehan’s juvenile pulled well clear in the closing stages of the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes to collect at odds of 12-1.

Meehan commented: “Seven furlongs will be ideal later on and she is a proper filly.”

Frankie Dettori delighted the members of the Stan James Syndicate 1 when bringing the Paul Cole-trained Stan’s Cool Cat with a late charge to touch off the well-backed Accede in the 10-furlong EP 50 Years At Newbury Fillies’ Handicap.

Cole’s son and assistant, Olly, said: “We always thought that she wanted a bit further, but we were apprehensive about the ground.

“She is game and hopefully she can win a couple more.”