THE tightest finish of the afternoon saw Tony Carroll make a welcome visit to the winners' enclosure at Stratford last Saturday.

The Broom trainer had seen Burundi's stamina come into play over the final furlong to beat odds on Tamango by a short head in the Racecourse Video Services Novices' Steeple Chase.

It was a sixth career win for Burundi - the first was back in November 1997 - and capped a fabulous afternoon for jockey Noel Fehily.

Earlier, he had steered 110/1 chance Coctail Lady to victory in the afternoon's second race.

The opener at Luddington Road brought success for top rider Richard Johnson and Naunton trainer Robert Smith as Bob's Gone prevailed.

Johnson had to settle for second on Simber Hill for Philip Hobbs in the day's feature race the Jenkinsons Caterers Handicap Steeple Chase. Fellow Cotswold jockey, Andrew Thornton was first past the post on Waterberg.

The Stratford Members Club failed to repeat their recent Market Rasen triumph when the Robin Dickin trained Erins Lass trailed in eighth in the Watchman Racing Novices Handicap Hurdle.

Carroll and Fehily will have been far happier as 50/1 shot Hoping finished a creditable fifth behind Too Technical.

Paxford based Milton Harris pulled Kaikovra out of the afternoons final race in favour of a visit to Newton Abbott the next afternoon.

The Irish-bred chestnut gelding - owned by the Chipping Campden based Eight Bells Inn Partnership - finished fourth out of five down the M5.

There's more action at Stratford today with the first of six National Hunt races starting at 2.30pm.

There's another helping of Saturday summer jump racing on August 9 when the feature race is the Blenheim Water Handicap Steeple Chase with £12,000 added prize money.

Entertainment for the whole family is again guaranteed with accompanied children under 16 admitted free.

Gates open at 12.30pm with the first race under starter's orders at 2.30pm.

Admission prices are £15, £11 and £6.