The Wallaces, the two jumping stars of Sheena West's small stable at Lewes, presented their trainer with an unexpected result at Plumpton on Sunday.

They finished first and second in the Amateur Riders' Hurdle, much to the surprise of Sheena.

She said: "I wouldn't have minded which way round they finished, but as it was, Its Wallace Junior beat the older Its Wallace by four lengths, although going to the last turn it did look as if Its Wallace was going to score his sixth success on the course."

Explaining why the two horses are similarly named, West said: "They are both by Bedford and when Junior was born he showed the same stubburn characteristics as Its Wallace, so the name sort of came naturally."

West also has a mare named Tis Gromit, by the same sire and a year younger than Its Wallace, so she too could hardly be named otherwise.

Its Wallace Junior was a first course winner for 18-year-old Marc Goldstein, younger son of Ray Goldstein, the legendary 'iron man' of Plumpton.

Marc, based like his brother Jamie in the Cotswolds with trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, has now turned professional.

West said: "Marc deserves that winner because he has been so keen and helpful coming here on his day off from Nigel's stable."

The trainer explained why she ran both horses in the same race: "It was the perfect race for Junior, even though he had top weight. The conditions were right and Marc claimed his seven- pound allowance.

"I knew he'd have a good chance, but Its Wallace is much less predictable and I didn't know what to expect of him.

"My assistant, Deena Goad, rides him every day and she gave him every chance in the race so I just hope she can have a winner on him before long."

West also gave an update on her popular flat race star, Barantes (by Distant Relative out of Try The Duchess).

"She has had the winter off, but she will be ready to run quite soon and is in very good heart," said West.

In the two-and-a-half years since West began training, Barantes has won five times and been placed in 19 races.

"She cost only £3,000 and has earned getting on for £50,000," said the trainer.

"And if you take into account the Wallaces, the three horses have won 15 races and almost £90,000 since the year 2000.

"Its Wallace cost only £1,700 and Its Wallace Junior, who is home-bred, cost only the fee for his sire, Bedford, which was £400."

The great white hope of Balmar Farm Stables, though, is an unraced three-year-old with the unromantic name of Tank.

West said: "One of my owners, David Naylor, bought Tank in Ireland for around £4,500.

"The horse was in a pretty poor state with a blood disorder, but David liked him and took a chance.

"The horse was turned away for 12 months but now he has really come to himself. I ride him myself at home, he carries his head very low and he's just like a tank - big, strong and difficult to stop!"

West has high hopes for Tank, who is a couple of months away from having his first run.

She said: "He really is a lovely horse and he's very well bred and I think he will be a star."