Thunderstorms in August may not please the majority but for Eric Alston they proved a godsend as Reverence relished the soft conditions at York yesterday to land the VC Bet Nunthorpe Stakes.

A testing surface is imperative for the five-year-old and heavy showers on Wednesday evening allowed him to stroll away with the five-furlong dash in the manner of a serious prospect.

Kevin Darley had the Preston-trained raider in the box seat from the moment the stalls burst open, and the pair barely saw another rival as they came right away in the final furlong for a two-length success.

Having been available at 20 to 1 ante-post, punters smashed into Alston's charge in the build up to the race and he was sent off a 5 to 1 chance. But he performed as his price suggested when beating Amadeus Wolf to give the horse and trainer a first Group One success. His main rival - the Con Collins-trained Dandy Man - failed to prove a match and after pulling for his head in the early stages the 4 to 1 favourite dropped away late on to finish 12th.