Margorie's magical turnaround seals dramatic 40/1 winner at Windsor Races

Margorie being led back to the winner’s circle at Windsor. Photo: Helen Edwards

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Ascot Colts & Fillies Club members had a pleasant surprise at Windsor's race meeting on Monday.

They own Margorie, who won the Hamish Johnson Memorial Fillies' Novice Stakes in quite dramatic fashion at long odds of 40/1.

Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton at Blewbury, the three-year-old ridden by apprentice Olly Carmichael produced a tremendous late burst to beat odds-on favourite Lodge, the mount of Billy Loughnane, by a length.

This was a significantly improved performance by Margorie, who had finished sixth of eight on her debut at Windsor in June and then last of five at Salisbury in August. The filly was clearly suited by the good to soft going on an evening which saw plenty of showers and a rainbow at the Thames-side track.

But while the Ascot club members were celebrating, there was disappointment for the hundreds of punters who had paid £60 each for a share in Royal Windsor Racing Syndicate's first-ever runner. The Wicked Wolf, trained by Jamie Osborne, was never in contention in the Juddmonte EBF Restricted Novice Stakes and finished eighth of the 10 runners.

The three-year-old was not given a hard race by Saffie Osborne and will have learned from the run. He may also not have been suited by the soft going.

The mile contest was won by Explosion (3/1) with Silvestre De Souza riding for Middleham trainer Charlie Johnston.

Another North Yorkshire yard also won the Windsor Oktoberfest Handicap with Yorkshire Lady (25/1), obliging for Michael and David Easterby. The seven-year-old was ridden by Clifford Lee, a late replacement for Joanne Mason.

Windsor's penultimate Flat meeting of the season had started with a photo finish, which saw even-money favourite Flying Comet, ridden by Oisin Murphy, beat American Gulf, the mount of Tom Marquand, by a nose in the ARC £1Million Bonus Has £150K Increase! Nursery Handicap.

It was Murphy's 20th winner at the track this season, nine more than Marquand.

Marquand also had to be content with second place in the ARC £1Million Bonus Bigger Than Ever Handicap, with the William Haggas-trained Silver Chamber (7/4 favourite) going down by a head to Ed Walker's Furhaan (18/1), ridden by Kieran Shoemark.

Tony Carroll joined Haggas at the top of Windsor's Winning Trainer list with eight wins, when Hollie Doyle steered home Emporess (14/1) in the Bulger Group Handicap.

It was owner Wayne Clifford's third win at the course this year.

Windsor's final Flat meeting of the year takes place next Monday, with the first of seven races off at 3:02, although it could be earlier, as at the five-day stage, every race was oversubscribed.