Mana d'Argent continued his remarkable love affair with Ascot as he landed a gamble in the Tote Exacta Handicap on Saturday.

The Mark Johnston-trained gelding was having the 59th run of his up-and-down career as Joe Fanning brought him fast and wide to land his fifth race - all of which have come at Ascot.

It is his love affair with the track which caused punters to pile in for the winner, who started the 5-1 favourite.

But quite what it is that causes the Yorkshire-based six-year-old to light up at the end of a long horsebox journey south down the M1 remains a mystery to all bar Mana d'Argent himself.

Owner-breeder Daniel Couper, who himself has to make the long trek down from Aberdeen each time he runs at Ascot, said that he was happy to remain in the dark as he picked up a first prize of nearly £30,000.

''It must just be the track,'' said Couper. ''It's a really hard finish up the hill and I think it suits him.

''I hope he will come back for the Shergar Cup next in a fortnight's time. He won the race last year.

''I've never thought about sending him over hurdles or anything like that. Not while he is winning nice races like this.''

Rather than guiding his mount to success, it seemed as if it was Mana d'Argent who had introduced his rider Joe Fanning to the course and enabled the northern-based freelance to enjoy a first-ever course winner. ''He just seems to click around here,'' said the delighted jockey.

''He straightens up and finds another gear.

"Mr Johnston didn't tie me down to any instructions - he just told me to go out and ride it as I found it.''

Another Ascot enthusiast, the ever-durable Tillerman, was also on the mark taking the Michael Page International Silver Trophy Stakes.

Fears that a lack of early pace might prove the undoing of Amanda Perrett's charge were unfounded as Beauchamp Pilot cut out a decent gallop.

But he had nothing left in the closing stages as the 13-8 winner swept past close home under Richard Hughes to score by three parts of a length.

''He loves this place,'' said Perrett.

''He might miss the Sussex Stakes now and wait for the Celebration Mile later in the season.

''My inclination is to keep running him while he is in such good form but I will need to talk things through with the owner."

Favourite Right Approach, who appeared unsuited by the fast ground, struggled home in third place. Tillerman's success kicked off a treble for Hughes, who went on to score twice for Richard Hannon aboard Chinsola and King Carnival.

l Paul Fessey was in the right place at the right time to pick up a spare ride on Bishops Court and he made the most of his chance to bring Thirsk-handler Lynda Ramsden's gelding home in front in the Road Range Chester City Wall Stakes at Chester on Saturday.

Bishops Court was due to be ridden by Fergus Sweeney, but he fractured his right wrist when taking a heavy fall from Sir Edwin Landseer.

Sweeney's saddle slipped after they had passed the post in third place in the opening Road Range Wirral Conditions Stakes, when he fell