Pipe breaks another of his records

champion trainer Martin Pipe smashed his own record for amassing the fastest £1 million in prizemoney in a season when Seebald hacked up on his British debut at Taunton yesterday.

Seebald runs in the colours of the Anfield Hombres who comprise footballers Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman, and Pipe added: "Steve was on the mobile to me just before the race and I told him the horse would win - no danger".

Fowler and McManaman also have Auetaler with Pipe and like Seebald he was bought on their behalf by retired jockey turned bloodstock agent Graham Bradley.

The former German-trained Seebald was never off the bridle in the hands of Tony McCoy before sauntering home two and a half lengths clear of Foxies Lad in the Carlsberg-Tetley Novices' Hurdle. Pipe was understandably over the moon about bettering his own record and said: "It's fantastic to get to £1 million as early in the season as this so its another landmark for myself and the yard and I couldn't be more delighted.

"I've actually come here quite excited in any case as we schooled some very nice young horses this morning who all did well so to beat my own record has sealed a good day for myself, the owners and everyone else concerned."

However. the trainer would not be drawn on whether he can crack his own record for winners in a season which stands at 230.

He said: "This may be winner number 159 of the season but it's a month shorter now and quite frankly we've got no chance of getting there."

Philip Hobbs was the trainer to follow as he sent out a double courtesy of wins for Celtic Native, who completed a five-timer in the EBF Novices Hurdle (Qualifier) under amateur David O'Meara and Atavistic's 18-length call over Dictamn for the Tote Exacta Coming Soon Showcase Handicap Chase in the hands of Andrew Thornton.

Celtic Native now heads to Wincanton next month for the valuable Dick Reynolds Auction Hurdle while Atavistic could be aimed at Newcastle's Northern National.

Barren Lands proved a chance winning ride for Liam Cummins after Norman Williamson was rerouted to Ludlow. The Kevin Bishop-trained gelding answered his riders urging to lengthen seven lengths away from Misconduct.

Sandoran and Xavier Aizpuru posted a five-length victory over Fabulon for the Levy Board January Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle for Devon permit holder Martin Hill.

Sunrise Special, ridden by Simon Burrough and trained by Pat Rodford, landed the Carlsberg Lager Novices' Chase by five lengths from Melling.

And the Bill Turner-trained Coral Reef had no problems in taking the Pickeridge Selling Hurdle. The filly scooted 11 lengths clear of Alakdar.