As events away from the track once again dominated racing's headlines, Norman Williamson partnered a 48 1/2 to 1 double at Towcester yesterday, and then came unstuck on three odds-on shots.

The Corkman's afternoon began with a victory as Annie Buckers put her troubles behind her with an impressive debut success in the Tattersalls (Ireland) EBF Mares' Novices' Chase.

The Kim Bailey-trained eight-year-old, the winner of a point-to-point on her only previous outing back in March 1997, jumped to the front three out for a snug win. Williamson completed a double on Back On The Lash in the Towcester For Conferences Novices' Hurdle. Making all the running, Venetia Williams' seven-year-old stretched away from Lordberniebouffant.

But Williamson's luck then ran out and he was later beaten on the hotpots, Boots Madden, Goodwood Cavalier and No Quarter. Young Irishman Danny O'Sullivan rode his second winner in Britain as Simply denied Weather Wise in the New Year's Resolution Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle.