BRIAN Meehan enjoyed a major boost on Saturday when 12/1 chance Spark Plug ran out a most convincing winner of the Betfred Cambridgeshire.

Denied a clear run initially, Jimmy Fortune bided his time, gradually made ground towards the near side and finally went away to beat the Godolphin pair, Carry On Deryck and Very Promising, by just over two lengths and one.

Last year’s winner, Third Time Lucky, saved a great deal of each-way money in fourth at 14/1.

Spark Plug, a five-year-old by Dylan Thomas, is tough and consistent. There was a significant clue when he finished fourth at York last time, just ahead of Third Time Lucky.

For Fortune it was a thoroughly deserved success because he was injured when Spark Plug, making ground and still with every chance towards the far side, fell heavily in last year’s Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.

The jockey was back on board here, Sean Levey having been recruited for the last four outings.

“I guess Spark Plug has always looked a Cambridgeshire horse to everybody, really,’’ Meehan smiled. “He ran very well again in the Hunt Cup this year and always looked like a horse who’d have a big chance in a race like this.’’

Fortune won the Cambridgeshire on Pipedreamer nine years ago and shows few signs of wear and tear.

“Anyone would have won on that today,’’ he said. “He completely lost his form after he fell at Ascot and was a very nervous horse. Brian has done a marvellous job to get him back.’’

Very Talented and Third Time lucky fared best of those on the far side, with jockey Kevin Stott claiming the third would have won with a high draw.

Richard Fahey also thought it was the place to be but added that Third Time Lucky would appreciate softer ground anyway. He could be a leading contender again next year, but hardy old warrior Bronze Angel, with two Cambridgeshires to his name already, could manage only 15th this time.

TALAYYEB

The opening maiden fillies’ stakes went to 10/1 chance Talayyeb, trained by Owen Burrows and ridden by Paul Mulrennan, whose hard work over several years is finally bearing fruit.

The daughter of Dansili made ground from the rear, led going easily the best and could even afford a fairly hefty bump before pulling clear to beat the same owner’s Neshmeya by over two lengths.

Out of Rumoush, who won at up to nine furlongs and was also placed in the Oaks and the Park Hill Stakes, she is an exciting prospect for rookie trainer Burrows, who was an unsung jump jockey before taking out a licence and getting his big chance for the sheikh.

The layers were still smiling at the end of the day as Roger Varian’s 14/1 shot Pichola Dance defied 9st 1lb in the fillies’ nursery over seven furlongs and David O’Meara’s Salateen went in at 9/1 after making all in the Racing UK HD Handicap over the same trip.

MARKET Rasen stages valuable jumps cards in summer and early autumn and Saturday’s 188Bet Prelude Handicap Chase, a listed event over nearly two and three-quarter miles, went to Rebecca Curtis’s Vintage Vinnie, who started at 9/2 joint-favourite and beat Presenting Arms by two lengths after making the best of his way home from four out.

This was the stable’s first winner at the track after a 300-mile journey from Pembrokeshire. It was also a first for young Jonathan Moore, who came over from Ireland in May to ride as first jockey for the trainer.

“It’s a great yard and a great team,’’ he said.

“It wasn’t a hard decision to make the move and roll on the winter because we’ve plenty nice horses besides this one.’’