MARCUS Tregoning made a sentimental but successful journey to Salisbury yesterday.

It was on this race-day last year at the Wiltshire track that his Sir Percy took the valuable Axminster Carpets Auction Stakes over six furlongs and subsequently went on to Epsom Derby glory earlier this month.

Though the Lambourn trainer was not represented in the Axminster-backed event this time, he did saddle the winner of the 10-furlong maiden in Majaales who is number one in Tregoning's mind but for a very different reason to Sir Percy.

"Majeeles is the worst behaved horse I have ever had in my yard: bad tempered and really nasty he'd take a lump out of you if he could.

"But he has been cured by being gelded. The little procedure' has made a big the difference, though I'm still wary whenever I go in his box."

Triumphant jockey Richard Hills added: "I have heard all about his reputation at home but on the racecourse he has a nice nature, is a lovely ride and did everything expected of him today."

Hills looked on with pride in the closing apprentice handicap over a mile when his son Patrick scored his first career victory aboard Murrumbidgee who is trained by Patrick's uncle John Hills.

Though he is unlikely to scale the heights of Sir Percy, above, Rainbow Mirage took this year's running of the £22,500 Axminster race in some style for Staffordshire trainer Ed McMahon.

He confessed: "I only come to Salisbury when I think we have a good chance of winning."

Chepstow trainer Ron Harris successful at the course on Wednesday with Just Down The Road completed a 24-hour double when bottom weight Hello Roberto (9-1) landed the five-furlong handicap.

The HS Lester Memorial Handicap for stayers went to 14-1 chance Master Cobbler, who was breaking his duck at the 20th attempt for Lambourn handler John Akehurst.

The opening 10-furlong handicap was plundered by Eldorado who appreciated the return to a shorter trip having not lasted the 12 furlongs behind Sir Monty at Salisbury earlier this month.