But after three successive victories, the winning ways of Victory Gunner in the feature race, the Clugston Lincolnshire National was one tradition that sufferered. Orki Des Ables from the Middleham stables of Ferdy Murphy ran out a deserved 16-1 winner to end three years of Victory Gunner domination.


The strongly fancied The Ring looked to be going best as he jumped the penultimate fence alongside the winner and similarly jumped the better of the two at the last, but on the run-in the French bred six year old got the better of his rival who found a recent seven pound penalty too much to cope with in the soft going.


Favourite-backers found favour with Mount Benger, the evens chance, winning impressively by five lengths and in the next. The Randy Bishop won his first race at the eighth attempt by overtaking Guns and Butter on the run-in.


The well supported Easby Mandarin was sent off 7-2 favourite in an Open Victor Lucas Memorial Novices Chase. He faced up to the final fence with Andrew Thornton on board only to take a nasty tumble in front of the packed stands. It left 15-2 shot Sycho Fred with an easy run in, but the biggest cheer of the day was still reserved for the fallen horse when he made his recovery, seemingly none the worse for his fall.


* Racing starts in 2009 on Sunday January 18, when you can pay for a race to be named for yourself or a loved one. Contact the course on 01673 843434.