South Wales trainer Tim Vaughan's decision to make the 375-mile journey from Cowbridge to Kelso was made worthwhile by the victories of Jean Genie and Ocojohn in the hands of son Ed at Saturday's Buccleuch meeting which had 54 runners on a six race card.

After being placed in 16 of 31 career starts since making his making his debut over hurdles at Auteuil in March 2019, nobody could begrudge Jean Genie his moment of glory in the 3m RBC/Brewin Dolphin Maiden Conditions Race. Eased into contention on the final circuit, the eight-year-old headed long time leader Bentley Road (Joe Wright) two out before drawing clear to score by five lengths.

Ocojohn was always close up in the Davidson Land Services Restricted Race and, after taking it up from pace-setting Burtown (James King) four out, it was one-way traffic in the closing stages as he cruised home twenty five lengths ahead of the promising Eagles Rock (John Dawson).

Vaughan Jnr, a 16-year-old A-level student in Cardiff and former pony racing champion on both sides of the Irish Sea, said: ''He was suited by the strong gallop set by Burtown and hasn't looked back since getting off the mark in a first-time hood at Milbourne St Andrew two starts ago.''

The double took his seasonal tally to eight and extended his lead in the National Men's Novice Riders Championship. The teenager's weekend got even better when he partnered Designer Destiny to victory in the opening 2m4f Maiden Race at Charing on Sunday.

Champion jockey James King steered Cheltenham raider Jay Bee Whiskey to a fifth win in a row in the 2m4f Turcan Connell Mixed Open Race. Sent clear half-a-mile from home, the progressive nine-year-old kept on strongly to beat Kingrullah (Laura Fenwick) by eight lengths.

Swindon-based owner Kevin Crawford said: ''Getting his neck and back ailments cured has proved to be the best money I've ever spent on a horse and I'm sure we'll have plenty more fun with him this season.''

The unfancied Any Job Will Do caused an upset in the 2m4f Saffery Maiden Race under a well judged front-running ride from Joe Wright and just had enough left in the tank to repel a late challenge from Trust Me Nate (John Dawson) by a length. This was Wright's 75th career winner, comprising 63 between the flags and 12 under Rules.

Winning owner/trainer Jackie Stephen said: ''He lost his way under Rules but has now got his confidence back and was suited by the shorter trip on better ground.''

Ask Cory made it three wins from four starts since joining Briony Ewart's Langholm yard when following up last month's course success in the 3m George Crawford Legacy Trust Novice Riders Mixed Open Race. Produced with a perfectly timed challenge by owner/rider Chloe McHattie to lead at the last, the eleven-year-old had to dig deep to hold off Bintheredonethat (Eloise Justice-Vose) and Wild Romance (Shay Halton) in a blanket finish and secure a neck verdict. His next outings are likely to be Corbridge (April 1) and Hexham (May 18).

A change of scenery and drop in class has worked the oracle with ex-Irish hurdler/chaser Nick Lost who joined James Cookson's Morpeth yard four months ago. Given a peach of a ride by daughter Natasha, the evergreen twelve-year-old galloped his six rivals into submission in the concluding Kelso & Musselburgh Racecourses NPPA Conditions Race to end a long losing sequence stretching back to July 2018. Meeting every fence on a perfect stride, he was in command at the top of the hill after five out and cruised home twelve lengths ahead of Oscar Wilde (Amy Coltherd).

The main action was preceded by 2 pony races sponsored by Browns. Cheshire raider Just A Little Dot (Daniel Harrison) repeated last month's course win in the 138cm Open contest, with the minor placings filled by Mohammed Ali (Cara Wilson) and Kitty (Pippa Gibbon). The 148cm Open contest was won by I'm Making It (Cara Tuke) from Lucky June (Tara Kane) and Dino Royale (Robyn Coulson).

The 4 Northern Area fixtures to survive the weather so far this season have attracted a total of 199 runners, with a healthy average of 7.65 per race.

The next Northern Area action takes place at Overton Farm, Crossford on Saturday 23rd March where the Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire fixture has record prize-money of £7,500 on offer with an additional £250 to the leading owner. 5 races have a £1,000 prize fund, while both Mixed Open races have a £1,250 prize fund.