Long-term absentee Alberich sprang a 20-1 surprise and stablemate Ice followed up 30 minutes later at York yesterday to revive the fortunes of his owner David Abell.

Abell's string has dwindled dramatically this season and last year his best horse Branston Abby died while in-foal to Mark of Esteem.

But returning to the scene of one his happy hunting grounds did the trick for the owner.

It was at the same track exactly three years ago that Abell enjoyed one of his finest hours when Branston Abby and Branston Jewel carried his colours to victory.

Alberich, trained by Middleham's Mark Johnston, had been off the course since last October because of a knee injury but showed not a hint of rustiness as he denied Murghem in the Sun Life of Canada Garrowby Rated Handicap.

Then it was the turn of Ice, penalised 5lb for a victory at Musselburgh last week, who gamely held off Fiori in the ACMC Nursery.

"I've sold some of my horses and I only have five in training now and this is my sixth winner this season. But that's not too bad when you consider I've only had 45 runners," said Abell.

Abell has plenty to look forward to. Star Rage, the joint record-holder for the most handicap wins on the Flat, is set to embark on a chasing career.

The durable gelding, winner of 14 races on the Flat and seven over hurdles, has joined David Elsworth for a jumping campaign. The owner also has foals - one by Branston Jewel and the other a half-brother to Branston Abby - that he hopes will go into training with Johnston.

Lujain underlined his promise when hardly breaking sweat to beat his rivals in the Newton Fund Managers Novice Stakes.

William Hill offer him at 14-1 for next year's 2000 Guineas - a generous price when compared with the 4-1 quote about Stravinsky who won at the course two weeks.

Lujain is all in the big races but no definitive target has been mentioned for the Sheikh Mohammed-owned colt.

Kieren Fallon registered his first success since returning from suspension when punching home Great Dane in the Kufner Textiles (UK) 25th Anniversary Strensall Stakes. It was his 145th winner of the year.

York Thursday results

2.00: 1 Royal Result (R Hills) 12-1 2 Gymcrak Flyer (K Fallon) 12-1 3 Samara Song (M Roberts) 14-1 4 Rum Lad (A Culhane) 10-1. 24 ran. Also: 7-1 Fav Myttons Mistake

2.30: 1 Lujain (L Dettori) 4-9 Fav 2 Trinity (K Fallon) 6-1 3 Ras Shaikh (M Hills) 9-2. 6 ran. Also: 16-1 Sergeant York 4th

3.00: 1 Great Dane (K Fallon) 3-1 Fav 2 Silence Reigns (D Holland) 9-1 3 Weet-A-Minute (L Dettori) 25-1. 9 ran. Also: 12-1 Cool Edge 4th. Non Runner: 10

3.30: 1 Alberich (D Holland) 20-1 2 Murghem (K Fallon) 7-2 3 Monsajem (J Fortune) 3-1 Fav. 9 ran. Also: 8-1 Boreas 4th

4.00: 1 Ice (D Holland) 13-2 2 Fiori (R Hills) 11-1 3 Hoh No (R Mullen) 14-1. 15 ran. Also: 5-2 Fav High Regard, 9-1 Godley 4th. Non Runners: 2,3

4.30: 1 Queens Dagger (L Dettori) 2-1 Fav 2 Cellini (R Ffrench) 8-1 3 Absalom's Lad (A Culhane) 12-1. 8 ran. Also: 11-4 Particular Friend 4th

5.00: 1 Once More For Luck (S Copp) 14-1 2 Ambidextrous (K Sked) 12-1 3 Manful (J McAuley) 10-1 4 Chimes of Peace (C Cogan) 11-1. 22 ran. Also: 5-1 Fav Champagne N Dreams

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.