Robert Winston, deputising for the banned Joe Fanning, took the honours in the first division of the European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes on Go Padero at Redcar yesterday.

The victory put Mark Johnston on level terms with Mick Channon in the race for the trainer to saddle most winners this season.

Winston brought Go Padero home two lengths in front of Honest Injun, the success enabling Johnston to join Channon on the 138 mark for the year.

Blackburn soccer star Lucas Neill watched CD Europe, who he owns in partnership with colleague Gary Flitcroft, win the Tote betXpress Stakes (Showcase Handicap) under a good ride from Neil Callan.

Kevin Ryan trains CD Europe, who won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in his juvenile days, and Neill said: ''This is the first time I have see the horse win live. My football commitments make it difficult to get to see him run, but I did see the race on TV when he won at Hamilton.

''It is a pity Gary couldn't come today but his wife is expecting a baby soon.''

Tyrone Williams was suspended for one day (November 12), for careless riding on the unplaced Consensus.

A kick is as good as a nod as far as Ian Semple's Maktavish is concerned and he duly went and won the Parliament Classified Stakes in the hands of apprentice Derek McGaffin, who was suspended for five days (November 12-15 and 17) for careless riding after his mount had caused interference half a furlong after the start.

Semple's assistant Tom Bogle said: ''The last time Maktavish won at Southwell he kicked his lad before the race and he did again today, so that seems to be the time to back him!

''He has just come to himself really and he will go back on the all weather.''

Tom McLaughlin signed off for the season on a winning note when the Nick Littmoden-trained Talldark'n'andsome took the Sparkler Handicap.

McLaughlin said: ''I have been offered a job in Dubai by Godolphin for the winter and come back in March or April.

''I have been struggling with my weight. I am 9st 5lb, but hopefully the warm weather over there will help and I can get that sorted out and get my head right and come back fresh next year.''

Jean-Pierre Guillambert was suspended for one day (November 12) for careless riding on True Companion and Robert Winston was suspended for the same day for not riding to his draw on Regal Song, on whom he also replaced Fanning.

Peter Harris's Grooms Affection narrowly landed a gamble from 20-1 to 8-1 in the hands of Michael Fenton in the Powder Keg Maiden Stakes.

Graham Stacey, one of Harris's syndicate managers, said: ''The horse got a kick back in May and then the ground was too fast for him in the summer. But conditions were ideal for him today.

''That was only his third run and he will stay in training and could run on the all-weather this winter.''

Zeitgeist gave Eddie Ahern his first winner for the Luca Cumani stable in the second division of the European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes.

* Edredon Bleu is reported to be in top form ahead of his crack at the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.

The Henrietta Knight-trained 11-year-old won the extended two mile, one furlong race last season and he is one of seven runners as he bids to repeat his success.

Edredon Bleu made a successful start to his campaign eight days ago when taking the Fieldspring Desert Orchid Chase at Wincanton in impressive style, finishing 15 lengths clear of Exit Swinger.

Miss Knight reports him to be none the worse for those exertions but she is worried about the gelding making such a quick reappearance as he usually has a break of at least a couple of weeks between starts.

''He didn't turn a hair at all from his last race. He was very happy and enjoyed the run. He does like it in the autumn and the spring,'' said Miss Knight.

''He's never run with such a short break between his races as he always seemed to take a long time to recover so that's the experiment this time.

''But he didn't seem to take much out of himself - don't know whether that's because he's getting older - and that's what prompted us to run tomorrow.

''He should run a big race but it does look to be a hot event.''

Edredon Bleu's rivals are headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Azertyuiop.

The six-year-old was one of the top novices last season and won the Arkle Challenge Trophy by 11-lengths at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The French-bred gelding is unbeaten in four starts over fences.