Michael Appleby enjoyed the biggest success of his training career when his bargain-basement buy Art Scholar won the Betfred November Handicap at Doncaster.

Picked up for £600 at the Ascot Sales in the spring of last year, the five-year-old was a spare ride for Franny Norton, who replaced the ill Darryll Holland.

And the Liverpudlian produced the 20-1 shot to perfection inside the final furlong to beat Communicator by three-quarters of a length, with Voodoo Prince a length away third and Samba King fourth.

Newark-based Appleby, celebrating his 37th winner of the campaign, said: "Darryll wasn't very well so we got Franny.

"I bought him at Ascot Sales for £600. He came from Gary Moore and was rated 49 when we got him. I'd been watching him at Brighton in April last year when he was behind one of my horses over seven furlongs. On breeding I thought he'd stay a mile-two and a mile-four.

"He's improving and I think he'll be even better next year. I ride him out and he's a character. We might take him out to Dubai in the winter."

Norton said: "It's the last big handicap of the year, so it's nice to get it in the bag. I knew nothing about the horse. It was a late spare ride. It all unfolded nicely for me. When I asked him to go, he did it well.

"It's been a good year. I got a lengthy ban, we got over that and it's ended with a bang."

Norton completed a double in the final race of the Flat turf season, taking the Betfred 'The Bonus King' Handicap on Tartiflette (10-1) for trainer Ed McMahon.

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests