Aakef bounced back from his lacklustre display at Royal Ascot with a battling performance in the European Breeders' Fund Maiden at Yarmouth.

The juvenile has always been held in high regard by his trainer Michael Jarvis, but ran no sort of race when well-fancied for the Windsor Castle Stakes.

He was sent off the 6-4 favourite to atone and was up with the pace throughout under Richard Hills.

Godolphin inmate Hajoum came to test his mettle inside the final furlong, but Aakef galloped all the way to the line to score by half a length.

"I'm really pleased as he ran today like he has been working at home," said Jarvis.

"We have always thought he was a very nice horse but he was very colty at Royal Ascot and threw the race away really.

"He has behaved himself much better and acted much more professional, so he seems to be going the right way.

"He has entries in a number of big races, but I have no specific target at the moment. We'll see how he comes out of the race and play it by ear."

It turned out to be a good day for favourite-backers with both Redsensor and Certain Promise obliging later on the card.

The latter, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, had bolted in on her handicap debut and a 6lb penalty was not enough to stop her following up as she passed the post a cosy three quarters of a length clear of Brave Mave.

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