Norton trainer Brian Ellison showed the midas touch at Pontefract on Monday when Great As Gold and Torrid Kentavr, both partnered by Robert Winston, provided him with a double.

But the duo could well have been celebrating a treble, had Cd Flyer, runner-up in the feature race, been able to hit top gear a little sooner. Despite staying on strongly from the rear, after being forced to switch to gain a clear run, Cd Flyer failed by just over a length to catch the the 9-4 favourite Zilch.

That defeat, however, did little to spoil a lucrative afternoon for Ellison, who was all praise for Great As Gold after his mud-loving stayer had ploughed through the testing conditions to clinch a 9-2 success in the Tote Marathon Handicap by two-and-a-half lengths.

"He finished second in this race last year, so it's nice that he's gone one better," said Ellison of his versatile gelding. "He's also won three over hurdles and is a good fun-horse to have around the place."

Versatility is also among Torrid Kentavr's qualities and, no sooner had the gelding posted a fifth Flat win to his record in the classified stakes than Ellison pencilled-in a return to hurdling as his next port of call.

"He'll go next for the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock a week on Saturday," confirmed the trainer.

It was not all sweetness and light for Winston, despite his two winners. The jockey was found guilty of careless riding on Torrid Kentavr and was suspended for two days.

Updated: 11:34 Wednesday, April 21, 2004