Eve Johnson Houghton was thrilled after Robustian provided her first winner since taking over the reins from her father Fulke at his Blewbury stables.

o The 16-1 chance, ridden by Stephen Carson, got the better of Benandonner by a head after a ding-dong battle in the final furlong of the Dalby Stand Handicap at Pontefract on Tuesday.

"That's only my sixth runner since I took over on February 1," said Johnson Houghton. "I did a lot of shouting and I'm wildly excited.

"They have been running well and I had a couple of thirds last week, so I knew they were in good form.

"I thought he might need a bit further, but this is a stiff track and they went a nice even pace for him."

Eve, who had been assistant to her Classic-winning trainer/father at Woodway stables for the last seven years, has 27 horses in training, and will be looking for further successes.

East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison continued his good run of form by sending out Odiham to score at Kempton.

The six-year-old, ridden by Steve Drowne, wore down Salute to take the intercasino.co.uk Queen's Prize by a neck.

Majuro, from Mick Channon's West Ilsley stables, came out on top by a short head from Cesc at Lingfield.

Darryll Holland's mount was headed in the final furlong, but fought back to win over seven furlongs.

Over the jumps, Aztec Warrior bounced back from his disappointing run at Cheltenham to record a victory for West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight at Fontwell.

Well beaten in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at the Festival, the six-year-old found the contest at the Sussex track much more to his liking.

It's the John Smith's Grand National this Saturday, and local jockeys will again be dreaming of glory in the Aintree showpiece.

Mick Fitzgerald, who piloted Rough Quest to victory in 1996, has picked up a handy-looking ride on Kelami for French trainer Francois Doumen.

The Childrey-based Irishman continues to agonise over whether to retire at the end of the season, and there would be no better way to go out than in a blaze of glory in the National.