John Reid issued an unequivocal response to the uncertainty cast over his future this week with a 73 to 1 four-timer at Goodwood yesterday.

The 43-year-old must have endured an anxious last few days as Robert Sangster, main employer of his boss, Manton trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, made public overtures to his weighing-colleague Jimmy Fortune. Sangster's desire, expressed last Sunday, that Fortune rides his horses in future left an unnerving cloud over Reid's role in the set-up.

The Ulsterman's reply was to capture the Group Three Prestige Stakes for Sangster and his son Ben on Circle of Gold, as well three other races on the card courtesy of Just In Time, Pairumani Star and Banningham Breeze.

Circle of Gold, unlucky to be beaten on her debut at Ascot but a decisive winner at Newbury last time, was always cruising behind the pace set by Hasty Words.