HEAVY rain did not deter a huge crowd from turning out at Sedgefield on Saturday night where local trainer Howard Johnson signed off for the season by saddling the easiest winner of the evening, San Peire in the closing Butterwick Hospice Handicap Hurdle.

"I'm shutting up shop for the next few months and I'll have no more runners until September," declared the Crook-based handler after San Peire had won the three-mile-three-furlong mud-slog with any amount in hand.

"I'm off to the Doncaster Sales and then to Ireland to buy some horses. I'll also be spending the summer dreaming of winning some big races over fences with my stable-star Lord Transcend," added Johnson. The meeting got underway with a first-ever victory for James Clare aboard the 25-1 outsider, Ramblees Holly, in the opening Halcrow Novices' Hurdle.

The young 7lb claiming amateur jockey, who is attached to Peter Beaumont's stable, showed plenty of determination to push his home-bred mount out for a comfortable seven length success.

Malton trainer Brian Ellison enjoyed a splendid 18-1 double on the card courtesy of Torrid Kentavr and Untidy Daughter.

"This is my favourite course and I thought I would win the first four races, but the rain-softened ground spoilt all that," he said. Nonetheless Ellison was all smiles after firstly Torrid Kentavr's bold jumping success in the two mile R H Tomlinson Novices' Chase, followed by Untidy Daughter's much more hard-fought win in a thrilling four-way blanket finish to the Tote Handicap Hurdle.

By way of extra entertainment and to help raise money for Butterwick Hospice Care, the Mascot Three-Legged Derby was won in decisive fashion by Daisy The Cow.

There was a strong whisper for Daisy in the betting ring beforehand and the vibes proved spot-on as in the words of course commentator, John Hunt, "she got a flyer and sprinted to clear to win easily."

* Godolphin's Lady Catherine finished second to Germany's Meridiana in the Group One Italian Oaks over mile and three furlongs in Milan yesterday.

Earlier, Mark Johnston's Gateman was a two-length third in the Group Two Premio Emilio Turati.

The mile contest went to another German challenger in Walzerkoenigin.She touched off Salselon by a neck, with the Middleham raider a further two lengths away. The victory of the German filly enabled Suborics to initiate a Group race double.

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