Calatagan ended a losing run stretching back exactly 12 months as he claimed Wetherby's £30,000 skybet.com Castleford Handicap Chase for a second successive year.

Malcolm Jefferson's charge had not troubled the judge since his victory in the twomile race last December and was duly sent off a 14-1 chance under Tom Dreaper.

He defied his generous price, taking it up at the final fence before powering away from Almaydan by 1 lengths.

Jefferson said: He is a grand horse. I bought him as a threeyear- old off Sue and Maurice Camacho, who bred him.

He has won on the Flat, over hurdles and fences, of course.

Tom gave him a great ride - he used his head when the others went off too fast.'' Howard Johnson and stable jockey Denis O'Regan had plenty of chances at the track and the pair went home with two winners for owners Graham and Andrea Wylie.

Striking Article (evens favourite) made it two wins in a row for the Wylies on his jumping debut in the first division of the Go Racing At Catterick Tomorrow Novices' Hurdle.

He went to the front four out and was always in command from then on. He passed the post with five lengths to spare over Lease Lend.

Wylie said: We saw him win at Fairyhouse and liked him, so we decided to buy and he then won a bumper for us at Carlisle. Now he has also won over hurdles we can plan.'' Circassian (3-1) completed the brace when coming home four lengths clear on his fencing bow in the goracing.co.uk Beginners' Chase.

Wylie added: I did not expect that. He has jumped fences better than he jumped hurdles - he normally idles when he is in front.'' Furmigadelagiusta, bought out of the Luca Cumani stable for 115,000gns by Karl Burke, recouped a small portion in the Online On Air On Now skypoker.com Introductory Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Sent off an 11-2 chance on his jumping bow, Furmigadelagiusta came home a length and a quarter clear of 3-1 favourite Pagan Starprincess