Gary Moore was left reflecting on perhaps the greatest afternoon of his training career after the heavily backed Well Refreshed completed a major across-the-card double with victory in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock.
Although one of the most respected dual-purpose handlers in the land, Moore is not a regular winner of the big Saturday prizes and was understandably thrilled after claiming two big pots at different ends of the country.
Stable stalwart Vino Griego landed a few hefty bets when winning at Ascot under the trainer's son Jamie, and less than half an hour later, his younger brother and conditional jockey Joshua rode the biggest winner of his burgeoning career on Merseyside.
Having opened up at 6-1 on track, Well Refreshed was sent off the 9-2 favourite for the three-and-a-half-mile feature and Moore was sensibly in no hurry. The recent Lingfield and Plumpton winner began to creep into contention leaving the back straight.
The nine-year-old swept by the well fancied Rigadin De Beauchene at the second-last and although he gave the final obstacle a real belt, he got away with the mistake to seal a 10-length verdict.
Rigadin De Beauchene ran perfectly well to fill the runner-up spot, with Welsh National hero Monbeg Dude running a remarkable race to finish third having been out with the washing at the top of the straight.
Speaking from Ascot, the winning trainer said: "It's not a huge surprise as we did think he had a great chance. You think you're dreaming sometimes and this is the best day I've had for ages, forever probably. This might be his last run of the season, as the ground will go against him."
None of the first three are even entered in this year's Grand National, but asked about a possible tilt at the Aintree spectacular in April 2014, Moore said: "Maybe, you never know."
The winning rider, more used to seeing his other brother and three-time champion Flat jockey Ryan Moore in the headlines, said: "It's great for the yard to have two big winners and we were keen on them both, especially this lad, who has been mapped out for this race.
"He's not been a natural jumper. He's a bit gangly and probably has more ribs than he should, but he has improved and it's just about trying to get him into a rhythm. Thankfully we got away with it at the last. It's my biggest winner and a great day for all the team at home."
19 June 2013
Perfect Annecdote at AscotGodolphin swoop for Libertarian
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Toronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry
18 June 2013
Stevens is king of the CastleAl Thani snaps up Sandiva
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot
17 June 2013
Magician set for Palace showdownCat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist
16 June 2013
Songbird aiming to fly highMovie has Newmarket on radar
Fahey juveniles primed for action
Stubbs leads O'Brien Coventry team
Salsify on summer break
Kempton target for Benbulben
Top trio head Palace runners
Shea Shea shoots for Stand glory
Animal heads Queen Anne field
Saint-Cloud aim for Dunaden
Magician to be declared for Palace
Soul all heart in York sprint
Kingsgate rules Musselburgh
Sam too sharp for rivals
Hughes makes it pay with Knight
Balding on mark with double
Morawij in a hurry in Scurry
Bartley is queen for a day
Big guns to clash in Coronation