Trainer David Nicholson produced one of his best ever training performances when saddling first and third in Saturday's Stakis Casinos Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The feat was all the more commendable bearing in mind that the winner, Moorcroft Boy, had fractured a vertebrae in his neck when falling at Aintree in November 1994.

After the fall the Roselier gelding's racing career had appeared over and he was sent to Liverpool's Veterinary University for treatment.

But the 11-year-old demonstrated that he had made a full recovery and still retains his ability in no uncertain terms in the Ayr marathon.

Ridden by Mark Dwyer, Moorcroft Boy led five fences out and stayed on well for a memorable 11 length victory over General Wolfe with the stable's other representative, Arthur's Minstrel, keeping on well to finish six lengths back in third.

Speaking from his Jackdaws Castle training establishment yesterday, Nicholson said: "It was an unbelievable effort by Moorcroft Boy, a great all-round performance from the girl who looks after him to the horse himself and to Liverpool's Veterinary University who did such a great job with him."

There was an anxious moment approaching the last when Moorcroft Boy pricked his ears and looked as though he was going to refuse but Dwyer managed to gather the gelding and they negotiated the fence safely.

"The horse had a bit of a look at the last but he was probably getting tired, the jockey did a great job," Nicholson added.

The winning jockey said: "He went well, travelled and jumped well. He was on the bridle to the filth last but then I thought it was time to kick on and try and win the race.

He pricked his lugs going to the last, I think he was distracted by people standing near the fence and I thought he was going to stop, then the saddle slipped and we just got organised in time to get over. It gave me a few worrying moments.

"I was quite tired after the race, what with getting down to 10st 21b and having to push Moorcroft Boy all the way up the home straight.

Both horses had arrived home in the early hours of yesterday morning and the trainer went on: "Moorcroft Boy and Arthur's Minstrel arrived home at 2.30 this morning, they have both eaten up and are fine.

"Moorcroft Boy will probably be turned away for the summer and brought back for next season's long distance chases, he won't run at Aintree again."

After Saturday's success the Duke is now hot on the heels of the season's leading trainer, Martin Pipe, in a bid to secure this term's trainers' championship.

"We will keep trying, we still have a few left to run including Barton Bank in next Saturday's Whitbread," Nicholson concluded.

No decision has yet been made on Willsford's future after the gelding's disappointing performance behind Moorcroft Boy in Saturday's Stakis Casinos Scottish Grand National at Ayr. Jenny Pitman's 13-year-old finished a tailed-off last of the six to complete the four-mile, one-furlong handicap chase. making the early running and holding a prominent pitch until beating a quick retreat from the 19th fence.