HOWARD Pauling notched his first winner for “many years” when En Passe made virtually all of the running to triumph in the Tanners Intermediate Race at the Heythrop Hunt meeting ay Cocklebarrow.

Plans to hold up the eight-year-old were quickly abandoned by jockey Tom David after a flying leap at the first took her to the head of affairs, and she maintained a strong gallop to deny Kristian Gray by two lengths.

Pauling, who is based at Chadlington, near Chipping Norton, said: “She is a mare that I had out of Charlie Longsdon’s yard last year.

“I ride her out and obviously have use of the facilities of the boys.

“I used to ride in the 70s and 80s and Ben used to ride in point-to-points, but I have not really trained point-to-pointers for six to eight years.

“My last winner was Tom Putt at Whitwick many years ago.”

David added: “The last time I rode her I was second on her at Brewardine, and I didn’t want to hit the front too soon and get collared, but she winged the first and I didn’t want to dishearten her.”

A late decision to run Supreme Danehill in the Harrison, James & Hardie Lord Ashton Of Hyde’s Cup Mens Open Race paid handsome dividends for the Aston Rowant father-and-son team of Alan and Joe Hill.

With Joe on board, the 6-4 favourite made virtually all the running before bounding home six lengths clear of Thanks For Coming.