ASTON Rowant trainer Alan Hill celebrated his 300th winner when For ‘N’ Against claimed a sparkling success at the Berks & Bucks Draghounds meeting at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor.

Fittingly, he reached the landmark at his local course with his own red silks and yellow cap being carried to victory by the nine-year-old gelding in the mixed open.

The son of Presenting was given a cracking ride by Izzie Marshall, who produced her mount to join the Philip Rowley-trained Namako at the last fence before storming clear for a four-length triumph.

Punching the air in delight in the winner’s enclosure, a jubilant Hill exclaimed: “300th winner. I had my 250th point-to-point winner this year and that is my 300th in point-to-points and hunter chases.

“It is just unbelievable to have done it in 13 years. It shows just how lucky I have been to have good horses.”

Hill took over the point-to-pointers from his wife, Lawney, in 2005 when she started training under rules, and his tally consists of 274 winners between the flags and 26 hunter chase triumphs.

He praised Marshall, adding: “She is very dedicated, and is riding better horses and riding them well.”

The 18-year-old rider said of her mount: “He was awesome. Although there was pressure with it being Alan’s 300th winner I just thought I’d ride my own race.

“I didn’t realise how late I had left it until I came in and everyone said that was brave, but I felt I had that much underneath me.”

John Benfield, who is based at Heythrop Park, near Chipping Norton, missed seeing his first winner since returning to the training ranks this season following a ten-year break, when Whiskey Moon landed the open maiden.

Benfield, 33, had taken his son, Joey, to ride at Mildenhall motocross, and did not see Zac Baker bring his charge home by two lengths from Tiger’s Song.