Rude Awakening showed that he is just as effective on grass as he is on sand with victory in the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery Handicap at Catterick today.
Chris Fairhurst's 16-1 chance, whose last success on turf came at Pontefract in April 1996, was not too well away in this afternoon's five-furlong dash but enjoyed a relatively smooth passage to lead close home and score by half a length from William's Well under a strong ride from Tyrone Williams.
'We've got the secret to him now,' said Fairhurst. 'Half a dozen runs, turn him out in the field and then bring him back.
'He had two wins at Lingfield (in January and February) then we gave him a break, a run back and then tried him again on the turf. We've just been waiting for the fast ground.'
Rude Awakening has now won four times for Fairhurst since joining his Middleham base from Geoff Lewis.
'I was just a bit worried when he missed the kick today,' added the trainer.
'Tyrone said the starter called for them and he hit the gate and sat back as they opened. He had to come from behind but it's worked out okay as he usually likes to make the running.'
While the dry conditions prevail Rude Awakening will continue to ply his trade on the grass.
Fairhurst went on: 'He's a stone lighter on turf and he'll continue to run on grass so long as the ground stays firm. Then we'll give him a break and a winter campaign back at Lingfield _ he loves the Equitrack!'
Black Army ended a near seven-week losing run for Newmarket trainer James Eustace when landing the spoils in the Hondeghem Felling Stakes.
The 3-1 shot led well inside the final furlong to beat Impaldi by three quarters of a length in the low-key contest.
'We needed a winner,' remartked Eustace. 'We had a good start but like a lot of other people it all fell in a heap.'
However, the winner will not be returning to Newmarket as the gelding was bought by Kevin Ryan for 8,600 guineas at the subsequent auction.
Montana Miss made virtually all the running to upset the odds-on Parvenue in the opening Swale Pasture Novice Median Auction Stakes.
Kevin Darley sent the Bryn Palling-trained filly clear turning for home and the 3-1 chance kept on strongly to hold the favourite by one and a quarter lengths.
The result came as no surprise to winning connections.
Shane Sullivan, Palling's travelling head lad, said: 'We thought she was in with a chance as she's been improving all the time at home.'
Desert Fighter repeated his victory of 12 months ago in the Dragon Troop Claiming Stakes for trainer Mary Reveley and jockey Tony Culhane.
The even-money favourite appeared to be struggling turning into the home straight but kept on gamely to gain the day by half a length from Time Temptress.
George Reveley, representing his wife, said: 'I thought he had plenty of weight today but he keeps struggling along.'
Desert Fighter was recording his 11th win on the Flat. -PA-
