Funtington's Lydia Richards saddled Eau de Cologne to a victory which put Sussex-trained Grand National contenders in the shade over the holiday meetings.

While the county's National horses flopped around the country, Dr Margaret Evans's eight-year-old showed them how to win a long-distance chase.

Eau de Cologne, unlikely to be entered for Aintree, was ridden home under top weight by Robertsbridge amateur Ben Hitchcott at Kempton Park after being switched from a Boxing Day run at Wincanton.

Lydia said: "I realised we would have to take on the useful Fadalko if we went to Wincanton, so we changed our plans. Luck was on our side because that race was worth a couple of thousand pounds more (around £11,500) than at Wincanton."

In fact, Eau de Cologne would probably have beaten Fadalko, who was not impressive scoring at Wincanton. Lydia was pleased with the way Ben Hitchcott rode Eau de Cologne. His 5lb allowance meant the horse had to carry only 11st 9lb.

She said: "He would probably have won with 12 stone. Ben had never sat on the horse before but he got him settled nicely and jumping well. He gave him a really good ride."

Ben, who plans to turn professional next year, probably wishes he was already in the paid ranks, because half-an-hour later he won on Struggles Glory. His percentage for the two races would have been about £2,000 had he been a professional.

Dr Evans is very attached to Eau de Cologne and does not want him to go to Aintree, but Cheltenham in March is a possibility.

Lydia said: "The ground is the key to this horse. We could have gone to Ascot recently, but it was very soft there and he is not entirely comfortable on that sort of going. Luckily Kempton had dried out enough by Wednesday to provide the ideal going."

Eau de Cologne's triumph followed Lydia saddling Guignol de Cochet to victory at Folkestone ten days ago.

She hoped Turtle Soup would complete a hat-trick at Newbury this afternoon, but the weather put paid to his plans.

Guignol de Cochet may run either at Plumpton on Monday or at Huntingdon in a week's time.

- John Gray