Martin Pipe yesterday equalled Arthur Stephenson's record of training a career total of 2,988 winners when Zapateado landed the Levy Board Handicap Hurdle at Towcester in the hands of champion jockey Tony McCoy.
All roads now lead to Folkestone today where Pipe saddles two likely favourites and looks sure, barring accidents, to become the winning-most trainer in the history of British racing.
Pipe chose not to go to Towcester as he sent out two favourites - starting with Maid Equal in the EBF/Tattersalls' Mares' Only Novices' Chase.
However, after she had been pulled up it was left to Pipe's new recruit Zapateado to deliver the goods. After Zapateado had tired on the run-in and held on by just a neck from Winter Rose, McCoy indicated that his boss would have a good chance of breaking the record today.
McCoy said: "The horse just idled badly in front and the truth is he wasn't doing a tap but I have two very nice rides for Martin tomorrow and barring accidents they will be very hard to beat."
Zapateado was a first runner with Pipe for owners Matt Archer and Jean Broadhurst whose string of nine horses include former Triumph Hurdle winner Upgrade.
