ON A SWELTERING Sunday afternoon when the bookies were getting even hotter under the collar, respite came in the last two races at Stratford where Alcester trainer Roger Brookhouse celebrated victory in the last.
Ridden by Tom Scudamore, Salt Cellar was first past the post after being sent off at 9/1 in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Handicap Hurdle.
The previous race had seen 7/1 chance Corrib Drift claim victory in the Birmingham Mail Novices' Handicap Hurdle - reward for the long trip from Lewes for handler Jamie Poulton.
Earlier in the day, the packed crowds on Family Day had witnessed four favourites taking the honours in the first five races with Tom O'Brien steering Hi Dancer to success in the Birmingham Mail Juvenile Novices Hurdle Race for Middleham trainer Paul Haslam.
Marrel, a 9/4 shot, prevailed in the Coventry Even-ing Telegraph Novices' Steeple Chase for Dae Bir-chell.
Fellow Welsh trainer Mrs A Thorpe from Carmarthen also travelled back across the border with a broad smile and the Stratford Summer Cup after 100/30 favourite Maidstone Monument won the CET Handicap Steeple Chase.
Assistant trainer to Nicky Henderson, Jamie Snowden, rode Stoneyford Ben to victory in the Fegentri PJ Boxing Promotions Amateur Riders Invitation Handicap Hurdle for Louth trainer Shaun Gollings.
After recording a treble at Luddington Toad earlier in the month, Tony McCoy could only manage a solitary success last weekend when winning the Birmingham Mail Handicap Hurdle for the Stratford Summer Cup on Jonjo O'Neill's 15/2 chance East Tycoon.
Brookhouse's four-year-old Estate was sent off 3/1 favourite but could only match the second place finish at the same venue in June.
However, the Alcester handler did go home smiling when Salt Cellar sent local fans home happy.
There's more action at the course this weekend when the ladies get the chance to show off their finery at Ladies Day on Sunday.
Gates open at 12 noon ahead of the first race at 2.10pm when female racegoers are invited to enter themselves for prizes on offer in the Club and Tattersalls Enclosures for Best Dressed and Most Fashionable Lady and Best Hat together with a prize for the Best Dressed Couple.
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