GALSTON trainer, Mike Smith, began October in fine form, landing the feature £20,000 race at Musselburgh.

He saddled Sophie P to an impressive 11-1 victory in the one-mile fillies handicap.

The four-year-old – back in trip and 12lbs higher than when runner-up last year – went one better to take the spoils

“I don’t think the shorter trip made the difference," said the Ayrshire trainer, “but Callum Rodriguez’s 5lb claim was a help as she hasn’t been well treated by the handicapper.”

Glasgow handler, Jim Goldie, also had a winner at the East Lothian track when Jonny Delta held on by a neck to post a 20-1 success in the staying handicap.

He stormed home to a fourth course success, and hurdling is on the cards over the next few months. “He holds the course record here and we thought he needed fast ground,” said the Uplawmoor trainer.

“I still think he’s better on firm,” he added. “He’s been a grand servant for us over the years and he will be going back over hurdles this winter.”

River Icon clinched victory by a short head for a 3-1 win in the maiden fillies stakes at Beverley on September 26 for in-form Carrutherstown-based trainer, Iain Jardine.

The five-year-old was bred in the Borders by ex-jockey and respected sheep farmer, Michael Dun, whose untimely death less than 24 hours after commentating at the 2015 West Percy point-to-point shocked the equestrian community.

Irvine-based jockey, Danny Tudhope, rode Pioneering to head the one-mile handicap.

There was a Tudhope treble the following afternoon at Redcar. He rode Ventura Royal to a 5-1 win in the seven-furlong maiden stakes, and half-an-hour later brought home favourite Quatrieme Ami to head the five-furlong handicap.

A 14-1 victory aboard Fire Leopard in the 1m 2f handicap completed the Tudhope hattrick.

Fellow Ayrshire-based jockey, David Allan, also had a winner at the fixture, riding Nuns Walk to a 9-1 victory in the six-furlong handicap.

Over the jumps, Carluke trainer, Keith Dalgleish, saddled a winner at Perth the same afternoon, when Eneko gave jockey, Brian Hughes, the first leg of a treble to land the two-mile juvenile hurdle race.

The three-year-old was bought for £40,000 after winning on the Flat in France, and posted a convincing 13-length success for the Carluke team.

Ballyben carried the colours of Drew and Ailsa Russell to win the three-mile handicap chase.

In Ireland, St Boswells owners, Paul and Clare Rooney, saw Penny Jane land a comfortable win in the mares beginners' chase at Sligo.

Hot on the heels of his hat-trick, Danny Tudhope celebrated a double on the all-weather at Chelmsford on September 28.

He rode Snowy Winter to a 10-1 win in the 1m 5f handicap, before partnering Alsvinder to win the five-furlong handicap.

Scottish connections had a good day over the jumps at Perth the same afternoon.

The Kinneston-based trainer, Nick Alexander, saddled Jet Master to win the two-mile handicap hurdle race, in the hands of his daughter Lucy. It was the third year on the trot Jet Master had won the race.

When his sole rival unseated at the first, Mumgos Debut was left alone to take the spoils in the 2½-mile handicap chase for Grand National winning trainer, Lucinda Russell and jockey, Derek Fox.

Iain Jardine continued his victorious trail when Golden Jeffrey headed the two-mile novice hurdle race under Ross Chapman.

Cruachan was the 4-1 winner of the 2½-mile handicap hurdle race for Duncrievie trainer, Lucy Normile and Jedburgh jockey, Grant Cockburn.

Hawick jockey, Craig Nichol, rode the Keith Dalgleish-trained Mac N Cheese to win the concluding three-mile handicap hurdle race.

On the all-weather at Newcastle, on September 29, East Kilbride-based trainer, Linda Perratt, saddled Intiwin to a 16-1 victory in the seven-furlong handicap.

Keith Dalgleish had another winner when Mixboy headed the 1m 4f maiden stakes at Ripon on September 30, for Paul and Clare Rooney.