WINSTON can notch his third success of 1996 by defying a 6lb penalty in the Greig Middleton Private Client Handicap at Ayr today.
Unable to make the frame in his two outings as a juvenile, James Bethell's gelding followed a promising reappearance fifth in a Southwell maiden with a win in a 19 runner handicap at Nottingham, arriving at the 11th hour to heat Cerise by three quarters of a length.
He went close next time as well, denied by two necks behind Lucky Bea at Newcastle, but was back in the winner's enclosure at Gosforth Park after his most recent outing.
Starting a well supported 7 to 2 favourite, Winston was held up during the early stages by Stephen Drowne, before making headway towards the lead with three furlongs to travel.
Set alight by his jockey inside the last, he showed a smart turn of foot to lead close home and register a three parts of a length success over Tim Easterby's Russian Rascal.
Horses who win races by producing a turn of speed often find themselves leniently handicapped, as the assessor finds it difficult to judge their merit with certainty.
Winston looks a case in point and, with further improvement likely to be forthcoming, he should shrug aside his penalty.
Sarmatian has run well on each of his two outings so far this year though without success - but can put the record straight by winning the Greig Middleton Stockbrokers Cup.
Micky Hammond's five year old could probably count himself unlucky when second to Komreyev Dancer at Ripon last time, being forced to switch in the closing stages and going under by only a neck.
Compensation awaits.
Neville Callaghan sends Ancient Quest on the long journey from Newmarket to contest the Greig Middleton Portfolio Charity Stakes.
The Rainbow Quest colt showed little on his racecourse debut but turned in a much better effort when second to Arnhem on the Rowley Mile 13 days ago.
A reproduction of that run would see him lose his maiden tag.
. Martin Pipe joined the ranks of jumpings' elite when bagging his 2,000th National Hunt winner courtesy of Robert's Toy's victory at Hereford last evening.
