OXFORDSHIRE jockey Robert Winston praised Irish maestro Willie Mullins’s training skills after partnering Stratum to victory in the inaugural running of the JLT Cup at Newbury.

Winston, who lives at Chilton, near Didcot, weaved his way through the field on the 11-4 favourite, before storming clear to claim the two-mile handicap’s £62,250 first prize.

Winston said: “Willie put a hood on him today and he had a different bit on which made a massive difference, so well done to Willie."

Hook Norton trainer Peter Hiatt was also among the winners at the Berkshire track when Red Tea posted a sixth career triumph in the EBF Breeders’ Series Fillies’ Handicap.

Eve Johnson Houghton, who trains at Blewbury and West Ilsley jockey Charlie Bishop teamed up to land a 5-1 double at Epsom with Liva and Hyanna.

Formerly trained by David Evans, Liva showed the benefit of an operation to improve his breathing by recording his first win for the Woodway handler when coming home a length and a half clear of Jumping Jack in a mile and a quarter handicap.

And Hyanna, who was previously with Tim Easterby, also notched her first success for the yard when romping home by three and a quarter lengths in a mile and a half handicap.

Heather Main sent out Island Cloud from her Kingston Lisle stables, near Wantage, to land a seven-furlong handicap at Leicester by three lengths in the hands of Ben Curtis.

And Jungle Juice made it third time lucky for West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon with victory in a seven-furlong median auction maiden stakes at Wolverhampton under Franny Norton.