Martin Pipe posted yet another record in his astonishing training career by setting the fastest century of winners in a season courtesy of Carlovent in a handicap chase at Ascot yesterday. In a dramatic finish, Tony McCoy's mount ate into Get Real's big advantage on the run-in to put his nose in front two strides from the post.

Pipe recorded his previous record for the fastest hundred on November 27th last year and, speaking on a mobile phone to his assistant Jonathan Lower, he said: "I thought it might be a hundred, but I wasn't sure and I also thought that two miles might be a bit sharp for Carlovent. Now we know it's the right trip for him."

The new record was aided by the much earlier start to the season on May 1st.

Much sympathy has to go to course specialist Get Real, who was trying to concede 17lb to the winner and put in an immaculate jumping display.

Nicky Henderson, the gelding's trainer, was also out of luck when Serenus and Geos proved no match for Kates Charm in the Ascot Hurdle.

The mare, ridden by J P McNamara, beat Serenus by a length and three-quarters with Geos a further four lengths adrift in third.

Kates Charm, who was continuing the fine form of Robert Alner's stable, is part-owned by Harry Welstead, who used to have Whitbread Gold Cup winner Harwell Lad with the Blandford trainer. Welstead said: "The stable is pinging - in fact the way its going the stable donkey would win!"

There were some good bets landed in the concluding handicap hurdle in which 10 to 1 shot Stormy Skye, supported at 20 to 1 in the offices, romped home under Phillip Hide to give trainer Gary Moore his second consecutive victory in the race.

Embryonic chaser Gola Cher took a walk in the market but it didn't stop him wearing down hot favourite Ready to Rumble in the novices' hurdle under a fine ride from Robert Thornton.