MICHAEL Dods enjoyed one of the biggest days of his training career as he celebrated a 194-1 double on the second day of Chester’s prestigious May meeting.

The Piercebridge handler enjoyed a successful start to the afternoon as 13-2 shot Sweet Lightning swept to victory in the opening Cordija Renaissance Handicap.

And there was even better to come in the final race of the day as Thin Red Line defied odds of 25-1 to cruise to victory by three-and-a-half lengths.

Both winners are owned by haulier Andrew Tinkler, whose recent investment into Dods’ stables is already paying dividends.

Eddie Stobart chief executive Tinkler invested heavily at the Newmarket sales last autumn and enjoyed an immediate return on his outlay as 110,000 guineas purchase Sweet Lightning struck first time out.

The five-year-old appeared to have lost his chance at the start of the straight, but jockey Tom Eaves spotted a gap that enabled him to surge ahead of Last Three Minutes and stamp his authority on the contest.

Dods said: “I was a bit worried about the ground, but he handled it well and I’m very pleased. He might have hit the front a little early but Tom had to go on when he did.

“He’s in at York next week but probably won’t run and the plan is the Zetland Gold Cup and then the John Smiths Cup.”

Tinkler has placed around 20 horses with Dods and also convinced colleague William Stobart to invest, resulting in the Cumbrian landing the CVAM Handicap, the final race of the afternoon, with Thin Red Line.

The four-year-old was campaigned over further when with Ed Dunlop, but had few issues dropped back to a mile and a quarter.

Stobart said: “He is my only horse, but I might have a few more after that! I am going to have one in partnership with Andrew and call it Strictlythirtydays as that is what Michael puts on his bills.”

Dods added: “We spent a bit of money at the sales and it is thrilling to see them winning first time out.

“We thought this trip would be sharp for him and he has surprised us as he is lazy at home.”

The big race of the day, the Group Three Chester Vase, went to Mark Tompkins’ Ted Spread (8-1), who held off the Icon Dream.