MICHAEL Dods was back home at his County Durham base yesterday still celebrating his biggest win as a trainer and sparking a big race double for the North.

John O'Groats won the Tote Ayr Silver Cup for Dods, who trains at Denton Hall, near Darlington.

And with Thirsk handler David Nicholls following up in the Ayr Gold Cup with Funfair Wane, owned by Kevin Keegan's wife Jean, there was plenty for local punters to toast at the prestigious Ayr meeting. Dods, who trains for The Northern Echo Partnership, has bounced back superbly from last season when the distractions of foot and mouth left his stable in the doldrums.

Four-year-old John O'Groats was his 19th winner of the season and his big race victory was a real family affair. The horse was bought by Dods' stepfather Alan Wynn-Williams from Bishop Auckland businessman Bernard Hathaway in mid-season.

"We were hopeful of a big run after he won at Sandown the previous Sunday. He always looked like he'd need six furlongs but the jockeys were having trouble getting him to settle," said Dods.

"There didn't seem much else in the way of races for him so we thought we'd let him take his chance and it all worked out beautifully."

John O'Groats has now won three times this season as well as being unlucky at Carlisle and Chester and the trainer believes he will be even better next season.

"We'll look at all the decent six furlong races for him and if he's on form come the back end we'll have a look at the Ayr Gold Cup,'' said Dods.

In the meantime, he hopes the horse can end this season on a high in the Coral Handicap at York.