ELITGRI VICTORY A TONIC FOR CASEY

Grand National winning trainer Terry Casey, who is recovering from a serious illness, received a boost when Eltigri took the day's richest race, the £10,000-added Tote Steeplechase (Showcase Handicap) at Folkestone today.

The Dorking trainer has been suffering from cancer of the throat since August and today was only the second time since the illness was diagnosed that he has visited a racetrack.

Casey, who saddled Rough Quest to victory in the 1996 Aintree showpiece, issued an upbeat report about his condition after greeting Eltigri, a two and a half length victor over Esperanza IV in the three and a quarter miles event - his first winner for 10 months.

"The illness was diagnosed in August and since then I have had radiotherapy and chemotherapy," said Casey. "I am due to have a scan on Wednesday but I've been feeling good for the last week."

Eltigri's performance will have added to that feeling of well-being as Mick Fitzgerald hunted the gelding round until picking up the Tony McCoy-ridden leader Esperanza IV at the last.

The 7-1 chance came away to deny a plunge on the runner up who was backed down to 9-4 from an opening 3-1.

McCoy was successful earlier when Elite Triumph Hurdle entry Through The Rye justified odds of 4-5 on his jumping debut to land the opening Manston Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.

It was a race which produced the unusual sight of winning trainer Martin Pipe in opposition to his principal owner David Johnson whose colours were carried by another newcomer, the Micky Hammond-trained Murray River.

In the end Through The Rye, carrying the yellow and black colours of Bill Gredley, showed the class which enabled him to run in the Vodafone Derby, albeit finishing last to Oath, to record a 19 lengths verdict over the Yorkshire raider.

"No excuses," said Johnson. "He jumped well enough and we thought he had his ground but the better horse won on the day."

The blinkers worked the oracle for Indian Run who was having his second run of the week after finishing second at Fontwell on Monday when he landed the Entertain At Folkestone Handicap Chase.

The Commanche Run gelding made all under Vince Slattery to deny Whispering Court by six lengths with an efficient display of jumping.

Trainer Rodney Baker, who made a five and a half hour journey, from his Tiverton base said: "The blinkers made all the difference.

"He wasn't travelling at all well without them at Fontwell but that race didn't take a lot out of him so we decided to come here.

"He enjoys the ground at present and jumped brilliantly."

Slattery also remarked about the use of the headgear.

"They made all the difference. The blinkers made him travel better early in the race," he said.

Pulborough trainer Stephanie Edwards enjoyed her first victory of the season when Camden Road landed the Lookout Restaurant Novices' Handicap Chase.

Miss Edwards confirmed different tactics had been employed on the gelding since a poor performance at Fontwell on his previous outing.

"He's a strong puller and in the past we've tried to sit him in. However, he has a good cruising speed but little else so we gave him his head," she said, after her charge had beaten Funny Genie by five lengths.

Lightning Star will remain in selling races following his nine lengths success over One In The Eye in the North Foreland Selling Hurdle.

Trainer Robert Stronge confirmed the plan after greeting his charge in the winner's enclosure.

"We'd like to run him in better class races but he'll get a double penalty for that and he's just not good enough," he said. "We'll stay in this class and have some fun with him."

Favourite backers got a shock in the Ashford Mares' Only Standard National Hunt Flat Race when 4-7 chance Jane Lechat was beaten a head by 20-1 outsider Ambience Lady, ridden by Jamie Goldstein.