ONE of the highlights of Chepstow’s meeting on Saturday was the sight of lady jockeys finishing first, second and third in one race.

Bryony Frost, riding Moabit for Paul Nicholls, held off Bridget Andrews and Lizzie Kelly riding Applesandpierres and Diable De Sivola respectively.

It was a very appropriate result on Winter Ladies Day, which although bright had suitably wintry temperatures when venturing away from the comfort of the marquees holding the fashion shows.

Deborah Faulkner has just half a dozen horses in training under National Hunt rules this season and she celebrated her recent move from Newport to Chepstow with her second ever winner, Beallandendall. The ten-year-old has come a long way down the handicap since his only previous victory two years ago, but he was a fair second in December and went one better at the weekend in a modest 2m handicap chase. He’s one of just half a dozen in training at her yard.

Local flat race jockey David Probert is cementing a useful partnership with Tip Two Win and his trainer Roger Teal. He was on board when the colt first appeared at Windsor in July, springing a 20/1 surprise when coming home three and a half lengths in front. At the end of December they were clear winners of a seven furlong race at Doha in Qatar worth £46,000. They were invited back to compete in Saturday’s Al Biddah Mile worth £106,000 to the winner, and he bolted up in that one too. Despite being seventh, and boxed in, turning into the straight Probert had confidence in the horse’s speed and stamina.

"I always thought he needed the mile and I just had to wait a stride for the gap but he drops down a gear and away he goes," he said.

Probert and Tip Two Win’s connections can now dream legitimately of a run in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May.

As the cold weather approached, David Evans shot up the Hot Trainers list with four winners since Friday.

Gracious John won a £25,000 Listed race at the Lingfield Winter Derby meeting on Saturday. He likes to race prominently and he jumped well from the stalls and was soon in front. He found more when pressed in the final furlong and held on to win by a short head. That’s his fourth course win from just five runs there. The stable were tantalisingly close to a double when their Lincoln Handicap entry Sea Fox finished third later that afternoon. He’d overcome a slow start to take the lead entering the final furlong, only to weaken at the very end and go down by a nose and a short head.

The Evans team were back at Lingfield on Monday afternoon, where their three-year-old filly Renny’s Lady benefited from the step up to a mile. She was only having her fifth run and might get even further in time. Brockey Rise and Joegogo at Wolverhampton were Evans’ other successes in the last few days.

There’s still time to book your place at Chepstow’s Cheltenham Preview Evening this Friday, with a top-notch panel comprising Richard Johnson, Paul Nicholls, Noel Fehily and John Francome. With a reserved seat and a one course meal in Silks Restaurant it’s great value at £25 per person.