PUNTERS at Royal Windsor Racecourse joined in the party as Dora Franklin celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday.

Franklin was gifted with a race named in her honour, and presented the winning connections with their prizes at the Berkshire track.

Action got under way with a six furlong handicap, where less-fancied runners filled the first three places.

Up with the pace from the word go, Silvala Dancer (10-1) led a furlong and a half from the finish and ran on well to beat Chevise (20-1) by half a length.

The Chris Wall-trained mare reportedly enjoyed the return to racing on turf having not run on grass since May.

Samuel Clarke was riding his first-ever winner at Windsor and the second of his career from only 11 rides.

The two-year-old maiden over six furlongs saw another total eclipse of the fancied runners, with the first three home being 10-1, 20-1 and a staggering 100-1.

The winner was Imperious One, trained by Charles Hills and ridden by New Zealand jockey James McDonald.

Though he was pushed along from halfway, Imperious One really got the hang of things inside the final furlong, hitting the front with 75-yards to go and winning cosily by a length from Honiara.

In contrast, market leaders filled the first three places in race three, a claiming stakes over a mile and a quarter.

At this time of year it is not surprising to see interest from national hunt trainers looking for potential hurdles talent, so it was unusual to see a David Pipe runner.

Beijing Star (7-2 favourite) cruised into the lead two furlongs out, from which point it became much harder for his pilot Mikey Ennis.

Eventually he was all out to fend off Just Because (9-2) by half a length.

The winner was claimed (sold at auction), as were two unplaced runners who had shown some ability, having led up to the last quarter-mile.

Next came a five furlong handicap celebrating the 100th birthday of racing fan Franklin.

However, it was the bookies who rejoiced when the 16-1 shot, Nocturn, ridden by Royston Ffrench, hung on by a short head from 3-1 favourite Lady Kyllar.

The Ron Harris-trained six-year-old, who had never run over less than six furlongs before, disputed the lead from the outset and finally regained it with half a furlong left.

The fifth race was a handicap over a mile. Lady Marl (8-1) won over course and distance three weeks ago for Gary Moore and George Baker, and repeated the feat on Monday.

Last just over a furlong out, Lady Marl picked up well to come through and claim the lead inside the last 50-yards, beating Purple Rock (9-2) by a length.

The maiden fillies’ event over a mile went to the William Haggas-trained Sealife (7-4), pictured with Pat Cosgrove right.

Held up until two furlongs out by Cosgrove, she barged the eventual third - Lemoncetta (13-2) - out of the way en route to a runaway victory over 5-4 favourite Spirited Acclaim by almost three lengths.

The finale was a one and a quarter mile handicap in which Sweet P (7-1) was suited by the strong early pace.

From sharing last place at the intersection, she made good progress under Louis Steward towards the outside to be one of a quartet disputing the lead a furlong out.

Much the strongest in the closing stages, Sweet P beat Ninety Minutes (7-2 joint-favourite) by a length and three quarters. Marcus Tregoning was the successful trainer.

Meanwhile, Cuban Race Night with live music takes place at Royal Windsor this Monday, which features a seven-race card starting at 6pm.

Racing features competitive handicaps over a mile and a mile and a half, where course and distance winners Rosslare and Stolen Story have both been given entries.

PUNTERS at Royal Windsor Racecourse joined in the party as Dora Franklin celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday.

Franklin was gifted with a race named in her honour, and presented the winning connections with their prizes at the Berkshire track.

Action got under way with a six furlong handicap, where less-fancied runners filled the first three places.

Up with the pace from the word go, Silvala Dancer (10-1) led a furlong and a half from the finish and ran on well to beat Chevise (20-1) by half a length.

The Chris Wall-trained mare reportedly enjoyed the return to racing on turf having not run on grass since May.

Samuel Clarke was riding his first-ever winner at Windsor and the second of his career from only 11 rides.

The two-year-old maiden over six furlongs saw another total eclipse of the fancied runners, with the first three home being 10-1, 20-1 and a staggering 100-1.

The winner was Imperious One, trained by Charles Hills and ridden by New Zealand jockey James McDonald.

Though he was pushed along from halfway, Imperious One really got the hang of things inside the final furlong, hitting the front with 75-yards to go and winning cosily by a length from Honiara.

In contrast, market leaders filled the first three places in race three, a claiming stakes over a mile and a quarter.

At this time of year it is not surprising to see interest from national hunt trainers looking for potential hurdles talent, so it was unusual to see a David Pipe runner.

Beijing Star (7-2 favourite) cruised into the lead two furlongs out, from which point it became much harder for his pilot Mikey Ennis.

Eventually he was all out to fend off Just Because (9-2) by half a length.

The winner was claimed (sold at auction), as were two unplaced runners who had shown some ability, having led up to the last quarter-mile.

Next came a five furlong handicap celebrating the 100th birthday of racing fan Franklin.

However, it was the bookies who rejoiced when the 16-1 shot, Nocturn, ridden by Royston Ffrench, hung on by a short head from 3-1 favourite Lady Kyllar.

The Ron Harris-trained six-year-old, who had never run over less than six furlongs before, disputed the lead from the outset and finally regained it with half a furlong left.

The fifth race was a handicap over a mile. Lady Marl (8-1) won over course and distance three weeks ago for Gary Moore and George Baker, and repeated the feat on Monday.

Last just over a furlong out, Lady Marl picked up well to come through and claim the lead inside the last 50-yards, beating Purple Rock (9-2) by a length.

The maiden fillies’ event over a mile went to the William Haggas-trained Sealife (7-4), pictured with Pat Cosgrove right.

Held up until two furlongs out by Cosgrove, she barged the eventual third - Lemoncetta (13-2) - out of the way en route to a runaway victory over 5-4 favourite Spirited Acclaim by almost three lengths.

The finale was a one and a quarter mile handicap in which Sweet P (7-1) was suited by the strong early pace.

From sharing last place at the intersection, she made good progress under Louis Steward towards the outside to be one of a quartet disputing the lead a furlong out.

Much the strongest in the closing stages, Sweet P beat Ninety Minutes (7-2 joint-favourite) by a length and three quarters. Marcus Tregoning was the successful trainer.

Meanwhile, Cuban Race Night with live music takes place at Royal Windsor this Monday, which features a seven-race card starting at 6pm.

Racing features competitive handicaps over a mile and a mile and a half, where course and distance winners Rosslare and Stolen Story have both been given entries.

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PICTURE: (l-r) A representative of Mrs Ruth Serrell, owner of winner Nocturn; Dora Franklin, who celebrated her 100th birthday, and winning jockey Royston Ffrench.