ROBERT Winston was full of praise for Irish maestro Willie Mullins’s training skills after partnering Stratum to victory in the inaugural running of the JLT Cup at Newbury.

The Chilton-based jockey weaved his way through the field on the 11-4 favourite, before storming clear to claim the extended two-mile handicap’s £62,250 first prize.

It was the second time in three weeks Winston had landed a big staying race for owner Tony Bloom, the Brighton & Hove Albion FC chairman, after his success on the Roger Charlton-trained Withhold at Newcastle.

Winston said: “He got a real strong gallop to aim at . He was always perfectly poised.

“Willie put a hood on him today and he had a different bit on which made a massive difference, so well done to Willie for putting them on.”

Stratum’s success saw him promoted to 7-1 favourite for the Ebor Handicap at York.

Blewbury trainer Eve Johnson Houghton and West Ilsley-based jockey Charlie Bishop teamed up to land a 5-1 double at Epsom with favourites Liva and Hyanna.

Formerly trained by David Evans, Liva showed the benefit of an operation to improve his breathing by recording his first win for the Woodway handler.

Ben Curtis recorded a victory on Island Cloud for Kingston Lisle trainer Heather Main at Leicester.

Jungle Juice made it third time lucky for West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon with victory at Wolverhampton.