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Local Barbury Castle trainer Alan King continued his rich vein of form when he landed a 1,405-1 four timer courtesy of two winner apiece at Towcester and Wincanton.

Swindon jockey Wayne Hutchinson rode the first and last race winners at Towcester on Masked Man 9/1 and Nulato 11/4, his first double since returning to the saddle following a serious knee injury.

At Wincanton, stable jockey Robert Thornton rode Pur De Silva 11/4 to a 14 length victory over Gentle John in the valuable Dick Reynolds Novices Handicap and 3lb claimer Gerard Tumelty partnered Shalone 9/1 to win the National Hunt Flat Race.

The local trainer has now chalked up four winner a day on three occasions this season and said : "I haven't kept records , but I believe I had four winners shortly after I started training and three this season."

The trainer kept the purple patch going at Doncaster on Saturday when Howle Hill won the £100,000 William Hill .co.uk Handicap under a great ride from Robert Thornton, this columns selection.

Wearing first time blinkers Howle Hill made a couple of mistakes over the last two fences and Thornton had to be at his strongest to get the better of second placed Lennon in the closing stages.

Ashton Keynes trainer Adrian Chamberlain also had cause for celebrations when Mr Loire won the five furlong classified stakes at Wolverhampton's evening meeting.

The trainer hit the headlines recently when Blakeshall Diamond became his first winner for several years.

"Luckily I didn't have to wait so long for another winner," said the trainer.

It makes a big difference getting back to winning ways and I am chuffed to bits.

All races take a lot of winning these days but the horse deserved his success after finishing in the frame on his last couple of runs."

Newbury takes centre stage this weekend with their feature race the £150,000 Totesport Trophy, Britain's most valuable handicap hurdle.

Paul Nicholls, another trainer that can do no wrong, having been successful with three televised runners from Sandown last weekend, saddles the probable favourite in Five Dreams, who attempts to be the first four year old winner of the race since it began in 1963.

However his Somerset trainer was reported as saying that he is in fine form and looking forward to running him he added : " He's been improving quickly and as a French bred I would hope he is a bit more forward than a lot of the four year olds.

He will face some strong opposition from the Nicky Henderson trained entries, the Lambourn trainer has won four of the last nine renewals of the race and could well be represented by top weight Punjabi, last years fourth Caracciola and recent novice chase winner Fleet Street.

Broad Hinton trainer Andy Turnell is keeping his fingers crossed that the rains will stay away for his smart performer Blue Bajan.

Set to carry just 10st 4lb the Listed flat performer could well take a hand in the finish and around 10/1 could be worth an each way interest.

An even bigger outsider with a chance could be the East Kennet trained Stripe Me Blue. Peter Jones charge is out of the handicap but has been second twice to a couple of decent performers and is also worth a small each way stake if he goes to post.

Racing fans will also have the chance to see the Paul Nicholls trained Denman in action in the Aon Chase at the meeting. Impressive winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup on the course he will be partnered by his Cheltenham Gold Cup jockey Sam Thomas.

Elsewhere there are meeting scheduled for Warwick where Moon Over Miami could be the best bet and north of the border at Ayr Cloudy Lane can enchance his Grand National prospects by winning the 3mile 1 furlong handicap chase.

All weather fans are catered for at Lingfield and Wolverhampton.

Tiger Rocket and Lisathedaddy could go well at Lingfield with perhaps Denbera Dancer the best bet at Wolverhampton's evening meeting.

9:41am Thursday 7th February 2008

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