Hampshire-based Richard Thomas had the night of his life, riding a 168-1 double - the first of his career - at Salisbury's evening meeting.

The 22-year-old Welshman - attached to Toby Balding's Fyfield Yard - landed the opening apprentice race aboard 12-1 chance Diliza for his Guv'nor.

Not only is the three-year-old trained in Hampshire but she was bred there by Malcolm Humby and Dr Julian Lee at Humby's Redenham Park stud near Andover.

The filly, who is owned by the seven-strong Redenham Racing Group, had been a close sixth at the previous Salisbury meeting and Thomas rushed her clear approaching the final furlong of the one-mile event for a convincing five-lengths success.

Following the next race Thomas was back in the winner's enclosure courtesy of another 12-1 shot - and the Friday evening traffic.

Chris Catlin was supposed to partner Sister Bluebird in the first nursery of the season but, when he was delayed on his way from the afternoon fixture at Sandown, Thomas stepped into the breach and earned glowing praise from winning trainer Brian Meehan.

Pat Eddery failed to make it because of the same reason at Catlin and he too missed out when Kieren Fallon deputised for the six-furlong maiden, driving Big Smoke past hot favourite Zafeen for a half-length victory that completed a double for Lambourne-based Meehan.

Mick Channon is having a fine season yet he has not trained a Salisbury winner this year. The odds on Zafeen who holds a Middle Park entry, looked sure to break the former Saint's duck but the Zafonic colt ran so green on his debut that be veered badly in the final furlong, allowing Big Smoke to deal another blow to punters as the grey started at 16-1.

Richard Hannon's Playback - third to Sentinel over course and distance nine days previously - captured the Wilton Graphics Handicap while Seihali, beaten only five lengths in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, gained compensation in the Nightfall Classified Stakes for Newmarket handler Alec Stewart.