Landmark for Dickin

Trainer Robin Dickin passed a personal landmark at Leicester yesterday as he combined with Carl Llewellyn to secure a double at odds of more than 135 to 1.

On the last day before racing is shutdown for a week because of the foot and mouth crisis, Dickin registered his 200th winner as a trainer when Max Pride obliged in the Pickwell Novices' Handicap Chase.

He went on to score win number 201 when Sissinghurst Flyer scored at 20 to 1 in the Syston Handicap Chase. Dickin, in his 15th season as a trainer, said: "The likes of Martin Pipe might manage 200 in one season but I feel rewarded to have managed it in my training career.

"I have a thing about 100s and was delighted that I managed to pass the century as a jockey. I ended up with 115.

"Some of the stalwarts in the yard have retired so it's good to have a promising young chaser like this one."

Sissinghurst Flyer had let herself down in two previous outings this season but appreciated being allowed to bowl along in front for much of the race.

"She does too much thinking for her own good. She really is a bit of a madam - a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates are the only way with her," said Dickin.

"I'm on to 201 now so I can starting thinking about the 300."

Lord O'All Seasons overcame his inexperience to secure the Rutland Water Novices' Chase and stamp himself a useful prospect. He was pushed out from the final fence by Mick Fitzgerald to take care of Lucky Ross by three and a half lengths.

"I hope I'm wrong but that might be our last winner for some time," said trainer Nicky Henderson, referring to the foot and mouth ban. "That's it for a week but it could be much longer."

Lord O'All Seasons, a winning pointer in Ireland, has been with Henderson for some time but missed last year after fracturing a bone in a hind leg.

"He's a beautiful-looking horse and a nice prospect. I'm delighted for his owner as he's had to be patient," said the trainer.

Former decent hurdler Picket Piece made the most of his lenient chase rating when he easily dismissed the awkward Sad Mad Bad in the Dragon Handicap Chase.

Trainer Richard Philips is hopeful the 10-year-old will be able to exploit his favourable handicap mark again when racing resumes.

Adrian Maguire took his score for the season to 70 at Catterick yesterday in double style on Martin Todhunter's Westmeath Flyer in the novices' hurdle and Colonial Rule who was retained with a bid of 3,400 guineas by Jonjo O'Neill after winning the seller.

West Point took the bumper in the hands of conditional Dominic Elsworth and trainer Mickey Hammond said: "I know all winners are entered for the bumper at Cheltenham, but he is in and will run if the meeting is on and he gets in."