ANTHONY HONEYBALL emerged from a spell in the doldrums with a double at Exeter.

Without a winner since November, Honeyball first struck with the slightly fortunate Jackies Solitaire in the Super Sunday 8th February Mares' Handicap Hurdle at 20-1, before Marie Des Anges won the South West Racing Club Handicap Chase just half an hour later.

Jackies Soliaire looked a decent prospect when novice chasing two years ago but has had her problems and while she was in the process of running her best race for some time under Denis O'Regan, she looked booked for second when Fergal O'Brien's Pitter Patter fell at the last.

Marie Des Anges, ridden by Aidan Coleman instead of Ryan Mahon following Bangor's abandonment, was sent off the 5-2 co-favourite and was a comfortable five-length winner.

All four were in with a chance at the third-last but Marie Des Anges put it to bed with some good leaps.

"The horses have been running well, but just not winning," said Honeyball.

"We've had so many seconds I've lost count. It's been frustrating.

"Jackies Solitaire might nearly have won even if the other one hadn't fallen anyway so it's nice to see her return to form. It's a nice surprise.

"Marie Des Anges is very game. She's had a breathing op and it has obviously helped her."

There was a notable achievement for owners Buckhorn Racing Team as two full-brothers won on the same day.

Buckhorn Tom was first to strut his stuff in the Devon Novices' Handicap Chase.

Sent off at 4-1, Colin Tizzard's seven-year-old failed to see out the trip in the Devon Marathon last time out but pulled clear on the run in from Jeremy Scott's Alberobello.

He won by three lengths so jockey Paul O'Brien's 7lb allowance was a vital factor.

Later on the card Buckhorn Timothy (9-2), a year younger than his brother, was a game winner of the Come Racing On 20th February Maiden Hurdle from Robbie Rabbit under Brendan Powell.

Best Mate's half-brother Nitrogen was disappointing after a promising first run over hurdles.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Qualando looked like landing the odds in the first division of the Cheltenham Preview Evening 3rd March Maiden Hurdle for nine-tenths of the race but was worn down close home by David Pipe's Herbert Park (2-1).

Tom Scudamore refused to accept what looked the inevitable and as the favourite's stride shortened he took full advantage to win by a short head.

The most impressive winner of the afternoon was undoubtedly the Philip Hobbs-trained Risked A Fine in the second division.

It looked like he had bolted in the first half of the race as Richard Johnson struggled to keep him under control and he shot some 15 lengths clear.

The 7-4 favourite was wearing a hood so is obviously an excitable type, and he had ruined his chance in earlier races by pulling hard.

He has an engine, however, and his superiority over his rivals in this was such that he was able to still win by 12 lengths.