BLEWBURY trainer Eve Johnson Houghton was thrilled after What About Carlo provided her most valuable success of the season by landing the Dubai Duty Free Handicap at Newbury on Saturday.

George Baker, riding his 100th winner of the year, swooped late on the 11-1 shot in the mile-and-a-quarter contest to capture the £46,687 first prize by a neck from Tom Hark.

“It’s a huge winner for us,” said Johnson Houghton, who capped a memorable day by completing a 107-1 double when Goring (8-1) took the concluding seven-furlong handicap by a length under John Fahy.

Johnson Houghton felt What About Carlo, who revelled in the rain-softened ground, had benefitted from winning a conditions race at Epsom on August Bank Holiday Monday.

She said: “I am thrilled with him. I have always had lots of faith in this horse.

“He was fourth in the Lincoln and lost his way a little bit, but I don’t think my horses were right in June and July.

“Fair play to him he has come back and I think the three-runner race at Epsom boosted his confidence hugely, and he has actually won that quite well.”

West Ilsley trainer Denis Coakley struck at the Berkshire track on Friday when Kastini repeated last month’s course and distance win by taking a mile-and-a-quarter handicap by two lengths.

Cousin Khee won two handicap hurdles in the space of seven days for East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison and jockey Tom O’Brien – at Stratford and Uttoxeter.

Morrison also enjoyed success on the Flat with Maestro Mac, who landed an extended mile maiden stakes at Wolverhampton, with Robert Havlin in the saddle.