BANGOR-on-Dee racecourse rounded off 2005 with the traditional midweek fixture on Wednesday where locally trained horses Ebony Light and Lost In Normandy graced the winners enclosure watched by a crowd of 3,080.

Ebony Light, trained in Cholmondeley by Ginger McCain, marked his card for the 2006 John Smith's Aintree Grand National with a smooth five-length success in the three-mile six-furlong Tilston Handicap Steeplechase.

The top weight was always travelling well for Graham Lee taking up the running half a mile from home as the remainder of the field came under pressure and had opened up a margin of five-lengths passing the winning post.

McCain explained: 'You couldn't improve on the ride like that, he was always wanting to do it, that was a nice performance. Which way is it to Aintree from here? If we should get in he'll stay the trip.'

Lost In Normandy recorded a seven-length win in the bangorondeeraces.co.uk Handicap Steeplechase. The 10-1 shot, ridden by Tom Scudamore, made headway to lead the field on the back straight and the partnership quickly opened up a gap with Toon Trooper staying on in second place.

Mark Williamson of Saighton said: 'My wife Lisa takes all the credit for this win. She suggested that we try him over a shorter trip because he hasn't been getting home, he loved it today. It's great for Lisa to have a winner and there's no better place than our local track!'

Nadover, sent off at 11-2 was an easy six-length winner of the Christmas Meeting Novices' Steeplechase. Jockey Noel Fehily galloped ahead of Terivic three fences from home. A mistake by Simon at the next ruled him out of contention and the favourite Von Origny was unable to make any impression on the run to the line.

Trainer Charlie Mann said: 'He's a nice little horse who likes to be handy and he did it well. He'll come on for that run, the ground was too fast and the trip was too short for him last time out at Newbury.'

Tom Scudamore recorded the second leg of a double in the Alfa Aggregate Handicap Hurdle. Valley Ride, a 10-1 shot, held Just Beth in second place to win by one and a quarter lengths.

Favourite backers collected after the Nichola Jane 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Race. Fourty Acers made the running but was passed by the 10-11 favourite Fier Normand when Richard McGrath allowed his mount to increase the tempo on the home straight and leave the pace-setter one and three quarters lengths in arrears.

Gustavo had sufficient advantage in the Red Dragon Conditional Jockeys' Handicap to defy the late challenge of Ceasarean Hunter and win by one-length for the in-form trainer Venetia Williams. Jockey Paul O'Neill was aboard the 5-1 chance.

The meeting closed with JP Seafoods Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race and an easy six-length win for Unjust Law ridden by Tom Greenall and sent off at 9-1.