Tanley breaks 450 duck

Coupland, who is based in East Ravendale near Grimsby, does not have much of a string, but had been on a losing run stretching back 450 days.

Division one of the Bet Test Match Cricket – Betdaq Handicap – sponsored entirely by the betting exchange company – provided the opportunity.

The grey Tanley (9-1) stuck his head out in determined fashion for Jimmy Quinn, half a length ahead of Spoof Master.

"I'm unbeaten here for about three years – two runners and two winners," joked Coupland.

"It's the first for a while, but I've only a handful of my own horses. He ran quite well a couple of weeks ago and he seems to be better on the Polytrack. I expect we'll find another little race here or at Wolverhampton in the next couple of weeks."

Quinn later made just about all on 5-2 favourite Tamino in the seven-furlong handicap, rectifying a course and distance reversal on 30 December.

Trainer Paul Howling, who shares Warren Place stable in Newmarket with the legendary Henry Cecil said: "Mr Cecil asked me for a lead horse and he has been working with some of his nice ones. It seems to have been his rejuvenation.

"I didn't think he'd win by two lengths today so I am going to have to broaden his horizons."

The brightest prospect on show was Marco Botti's Tiradito, who was second on his debut to subsequent Cheveley Park runner-up Misheer, although his juvenile campaign was punctuated by a long lay-off.

Martin Dwyer only had to shake the evens favourite up en-route to a decisive success in the seven-furlong maiden.

Dwyer said: "He was the top-rated horse and was just idling when he was in front. There was a muddling pace but we put the race to bed on the bend."

Stephen Craine was outrageously cool to cling on to four-timer chasing 2-1 favourite Wunder Strike until the last minute in the one-mile handicap.

"Stevie is an underrated jockey but he got him in a lovely spot behind the leaders," said trainer Jim Boyle.

"The horse is on the top of his game, he's loving it, but he has to be ridden with confidence as he doesn't do a lot in front."

Neil King's Chalice Welcome (7-2 favourite) took the 10-furlong handicap on a bob of the head with Alfie Tupper while the mile-and-a-half heat went to the versatile Winning Show (9-1).

Division two of Tanley's handicap went to the veteran Peopleton Brook (13-2).