BLEWBURY trainer Eve Johnson Houghton was thrilled as veterans Beaver Patrol and Phluke rolled back the years to provide her first double on the same card with game victories at Brighton, writes Russell Smith.

Beaver Patrol has been a real money-spinner for the Woodway stables over the years, winning more than £225,000 in prize money.

But, now an eight-year-old, he hadn’t been in the winner’s enclosure since landing a six-furlong contest at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai in February 2009.

However, he ended his barren run with a three-quarters of a length victory over Timeteam under John Fahy in a seven-furlong handicap at the seaside venue.

Phluke, who like his stablemate was a 9-2 chance, has plied his trade at a slightly lower level.

But the nine-year-old had still won 11 times before last week’s success, and collected more than £73,000 in prize money.

He hadn’t visited the winner’s enclosure since scoring at Warwick in May 2008.

However, he ended his spell in the wilderness with a neck verdict over Isabella Romee in a six-furlong handicap.

The pair also staved off the imminent prospect of retirement.

Johnson Houghton said: “I thought that they may have retired themselves, as jockeys tend to get on them and say ‘Oh bless them they don’t owe you anything’, both horses rather think the same and just have a lovely day out.

“This was different and they got similar rides from two apprentices and they had the hurry up coming out of the stalls and then flew.”

Johnson Houghton struck again the following day with Catchanova, who broke his duck at the 13th attempt at Salisbury.

Nathan Alison kicked the three-year-old on with two furlongs to run of the apprentice handicap over a mile, and they held on by half a length from Lutine Charlie.

Mick Channon’s West Ilsley stables continue to churn out the winners, with Bravo Bravo and Saxonette giving him at double at Lingfield.

Bravo Bravo set the ball rolling by following up his Goodwood win with a two-lengths victory.

Chris Catlin then made all the running on Saxonette to take the six-furlong selling stakes by two and a half lengths.

Henrietta Knight and Terry Biddlecombe are to host an open day for racing fans at their West Lockinge Farm stables on Sunday, September 19.

The stables will be open from 10.30am until 2.30pm.