He romped home by five lengths from the pace-setting Mr Wolf (16-1), with Machinist half a length away in third and Viking Spirit fourth.

But Cox missed the race as he was on his way back to the enclosures after helping load his winner into the stalls.

He said: "He has to go early to the start, I go with him and it pays dividends.

"He's a very talented horse. He won a 60 grand race early last year and comes to hand at this time."

Cox explained why Robinson, who only returned to action following a major hip operation a week ago, replaced intended pilot Michael Fenton.

He said: "Philip was down to ride a filly of mine tonight at Windsor but I pulled her out. He's had a good association with Kostar in the past so we got him on board. He's a great asset."

Great As Gold continued his love affair with long-distance races at the West Yorkshire track with a hard-fought win in the Pontefract Marathon Handicap.

Making steady progress from the rear, the 7-4 favourite wore down Noddies Way in the final furlong to score by a neck.

It was Great As Gold's third course win, his second following his success three years ago in this race, in which he has also finished second and third.

A relieved trainer Brian Ellison said: "That was close. I knew he would run all the way to the line, but the ground was plenty quick enough for him.

"He's always been 100% genuine. He won the staying championship here last year and is going for it again."

Loch Jipp gave John Wainwright his first winner for six months when causing a 50-1 upset in the Went Edge Median Auction Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The American-bred filly, bought by jockey Dean McKeown for £16,000 (€23,591), made a winning debut in good style by two lengths from Far Gone, who pipped Lake Sabina by a short head for second place.

"She's done nothing wrong at home, but I was worried about the high draw. I'd love to win my first Hilary Needler at Beverley with her," said Wainwright.

Varinia, who finished fourth, was relegated to eighth place for causing interference.

Her jockey, 7lb claimer Patrick Donaghy, was banned for a total of four days for careless riding and not riding to his draw.

There was another shock when A Big Sky Brewing (20-1) took the Subscribe Online @ Racinguk.tv Maiden Stakes.

The lightly-raced three-year-old, ridden by Paul Fessey, got a smooth run on the far side to beat the favourite Gleneagles by half a length.

Winning trainer David Barron said: "He'll be quite a nice horse. I thought he might finish fifth or sixth."

Stringsofmyheart gave a gallant performance to make virtually all the running when opening her account in the Cornmarket Handicap.

It looked as though Force Group had her measure when joining her in the straight, but the 8-1 winner battled hard in the closing stages to score by half a length.

"I thought she was going to get beat, but she stayed on well," said winning trainer Willie Haggas.

Flighty Fellow (10-1) returned to form with a bang when recording his first success in almost three years in the Catterick Races On 25th April Handicap.

The seven-year-old powered home under David Allan by a length and a half from Top Jaro.

"He ran a decent race at Nottingham last time after he got left a fair way. He may have needed that run and he has come down the handicap," said trainer Tim Easterby.

"He deserved to win and this bit of rain has helped. He likes decent ground."

Torrens (7-4) scored for favourite-backers when galloping clear of his rivals in the final furlong of the Betfair.com Apprentice Series Round 2 Handicap.

Jimmy Rogers brought the Richard Fahey-trained five-year-old with a well-timed run in the centre of the course to hold Suits Me by two lengths.

Rogers, 18, was riding his third winner and has been with Fahey since last August having previously been attached to Andrew Balding's stable.

"No lad has worked harder than Jimmy this year and he deserves a few more spins," said Fahey.