HEREFORDSHIRE trainer Tom Lacey continued his good run at Hereford Racecourse on Tuesday when he and stable jockey Stan Sheppard scored with their Highstakesplayer, who followed up his win at the course a week ago to win by nine lengths in the two-mile five-furlong handicap chase.

At the rear of the eight-runner race to begin with, Sheppard made smooth progress throughout the race and once he asked his mount to lengthen at the third last fence they moved away to win well by nine lengths from the Venetia Williams trained runner-up Gemirande, although the fall of Ede'iffs Elton, who was challenging for the lead at the second-last fence helped the cause.

Lacey said: "We'll never know what would have happened if Rob's horse had stood up.

"He'll have an easy few weeks. We'll then pick him up and see where we are once the handicapper has had his say."

The opening novice hurdle at the course went the way of the 5/6 favourite Parramount from the yard of Charlie Longsdon who led from the outset and was never trouble over the two-mile trip to win by 10 lengths in the hands of Aiden Coleman.

The winner, a scopey six-year-old son of sire Mount Nelson, has the look of a progressive winner and it would not be a surprise to see it now be aimed at bigger targets.

Downton Hall trainer Henry Daly had third placed finisher Lord of Morovia in the opening race but he was in the winners enclosure after the extended three mile handicap chase with the win of Bretney the 11/4 favourite.

Backed into 11/4 favourite, the seven-year-old son Milan was confidently ridden by Harry Cobden and despite the attentions of the chasing and eventual runner-up The Boat, had one and a quarter length to spare at the finish.

Cobden was back in the winner’s enclosure 30 minutes later when he partnered the ex-French Dixon Cove to easily win the two-mile juvenile fillies hurdle for his retained stable of Paul Nicolls.

Dixon Cove easily landed the odds at 30/100 in the style of a very good horse and the win continued the good run of both, with Cobden who has had a winner to rides strike rate of over 50 per cent over the past two weeks and Nicholls who has been operating at a 40 per cent winners to runners strike rate over the same period.

Cobden then rounded off the meeting by completing his treble with a win on Maxcel in the concluding two-mile handicap hurdle