PRESSGANG gave Paul Webber’s Mollington yard, near Banbury, and a bumper Boxing Day crowd an almighty fright before securing a dramatic victory at Kempton.

With the stands still buzzing following Kauto Star’s third successive win in the Stan James King George VI Chase, punters backed Webber’s six-year-old down to 2-1 favouritism for the following novices’ handicap chase.

And they were already counting their winnings as Timmy Murphy sent Pressgang into a clear lead after the fourth last.

But then he jumped violently left at the first two fences in the straight to let his rivals back in with a chance, before Murphy got him back on an even keel after the last, and drove him home by a length from Rodrigo Gonzales.

Webber was mystified why his charge took such a wayward course.

“I have no idea why he does it. I hope it's not a physical problem,” he said.

“It was a total horror to watch and pretty uncomfortable for Timmy Murphy to ride, but the horse showed his undoubted class to prevail.”

Henrietta Knight, who trains at West Lockinge, near Wantage, served up a 25-1 surprise for a holiday crowd at Fontwell when Teddy's Reflection defied his burly paddock appearance to romp to victory.

Knight confessed she thought her once-raced gelding was far from ready for his first outing in a year.

Under Dominic Elsworth, the five-year-old really picked up the bridle in the home straight to go eight lengths clear of Limbo King in ae novices' hurdle.

Knight said: “We couldn't get the weight off him and he's still fat. When he was walking round the paddock, he stood out as the chaser in the pack, but he just didn't look ready. We can't believe he has won.

“He obviously has a lot of ability. He's had some niggling problems with his knees and much will depend whether we can keep him sound. If we can he has a future."

Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett yard, near Wantage, also posted a 25-1 shock at the Sussex track when Radetsky March landed the beginners’ chase over two miles and six furlongs.

Mattie Batchelor made a race-winning move when switching the five-year-old to the far rail.

On the Flat, West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon and jockey Tony Culhane teamed up to land a 37-1 double at Great Leighs with Sky High Kid (15-8) and Leading Edge (12-1).

Sky High Kid got off the mark in a six-furlong maiden, beating Princes Zohra by a head, while Leading Edge had a neck to spare in a six-furlong handicap.