Braes Of Mar, owned by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen's Mother, made all to win yesterday's Duke Of Gloucester Memorial Hunters' Chase at Sandown. The royal owner was making her first public appearance at the Esher course since her recent hip operation.

Major Olly Ellwood, of the Light Dragoons, had Braes of Mar in front as the tapes went up, and they stayed there to beat Archies Oats by two lengths.

Nicky Henderson, the winning trainer, said: "This was not one of the most important races in the calendar, but it was pretty crucial today.

"I have nine horses for Her Majesty, and this makes up in a way for yesterday's tragic accident when Royal Mint, a young horse of hers, broke his back schooling."

Henderson had struck earlier in the Worcester Park Novices' Handicap Chase with Mountain Path. The Lambourn handler was ecstatic about the ride Mick Fitzgerald gave the eight-year-old.

After the gelding had led three out to beat Knight's Crest by three lengths, Henderson said: "That was probably one of the greatest rides you will ever see. It did not look like a jockey who was saving himself for Cheltenham - Mick is not into self preservation."

Mountain Path was "out with the washing" down the back side for the final time, but Fitzgerald galvanized the top weight back into the action.

Henderson added: "We schooled him on Wednesday and Thursday and he jumped like a gazelle. But at one point today I'd thought he was going to pull up."

It was a family affair in the Horse & Hound Grand Military Gold Cup where Silver Stick, owned and bred by Lord Manton and ridden by his son, Major Milo Watson, galloped to victory.

The grey, trained by Mick Easterby in Yorkshire, led approaching two out at 12 to 1 to beat Superior Finish by seven lengths.

Richard Dunwoody rode a confident race to land the opener on Andanito, who won in convincing style. The jockey sent the gelding ahead at the final flight of the Bushy Park `National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle to beat Brownes Hill Lad by a length and a quarter.

The 8 to 11 chance is trained by Lady Herries and owned by her sisters Lady Sarah Clutton and Lady Mary Mumford.

Lady Herries said: "We were worried about the ground. It is heavy out there. He didn't like it and he won't run on going like it again.

Dunwoody completed a double when Good Lord Murphy took the Racal Novices' Hurdle.