Rah Rah snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Stellar Group Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes at Chester.

The 2-1 favourite, trained by Mark Johnston, looked beaten on the far rail once Silver Wings was thrust into a seemingly unassailable position passing the furlong pole.

But Rah Rah did not tire on the rain-softened ground and fought back at the death to get back up by half a length under Chester maestro Franny Norton.

A yawning five lengths separated runner-up Silver Wings and Fashionable Spirit, a stablemate of the winner.

Deirdre Johnston, wife of the Middleham handler, said: "She is so tough - what a game filly.

"She shows lot of speed and is very professional and stayed on well on soft ground.

"I'm thinking she can go either five or six furlongs and that (Royal Ascot) is the dream."

Norton said: "It was a smart race and a smart time. On a bit better ground, you might see a smart filly.

"Why can't she go there (Ascot)?"

Enthusiastic owner Dr Marwan Koukash posted a first winner of the week at his hallowed Chester when Lexi's Hero defied fears about the ground to win the Boodles Diamond Handicap.

Koukash expressed mild shock after Richard Fahey's 10-1 chance held off Confessional by a length and a quarter in the deteriorating conditions.

Come On Dave set an electric gallop, but he was overwhelmed inside the final 150 yards as Lexi's Hero cashed in under the guidance of Tony Hamilton. Cruise Tothelimit finished third, another half a length adrift of the winner.

Koukash: "It was a surprise as he doesn't like this softer ground. He's well handicapped, though, and the instruction was to sit behind the pace."

"I gave him a chance and he's come home well. Because they went so hard, it played into my hands a bit," said Hamilton.

Fahey said: "This is a star of a horse and it's great for Marwan, I'm delighted for him. There are no plans - it was Chester, then have a look."