Mattie Batchelor on Royal Prodigy heads the feature race of the day, the Cenkos CI Handicap. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0767053)

ROYAL PRODIGY romped to victory in the Guernsey Race Meeting’s feature race of the day, the Cenkos Channel Islands Handicap.

Close to 4,000 people made their way to L’Ancresse common yesterday for the five-race event.

And it was Royal Prodigy, ridden by Mattie Batchelor and owned by The Garden Entertainment Limited consortium, which won the biggest and longest race of the day that carried prizemoney of £5,000 when it came home at 5/4.

‘We’re absolutely delighted,’ said Brian Rousell, of the Garden Entertainment Limited.

‘It’s our fourth time here and we always enjoy bringing our horses. It’s nice to come away with a winner.’

Royal Prodigy, which had come fourth in last year’s race, led from the start ahead of evens favourite Slickdalay, ridden by 2009 Grand National winner Liam Treadwell.

Treadwell, who was busy signing autographs and posing for pictures after his last ride, certainly enjoyed himself despite not having a winner.

‘It’s been brilliant,’ he said.