THERE has never been a horse quite like Berrahri.

You mention the goings and he's won on it. Heavy, soft, sloppy, good, firm, fast and snow. Yes, even snow!

The old campaigner has become somewhat of a celebrity at the international playground that is St Moritz where last winter he won twice from three starts including the major race at the festival, the Grand Prix which carries a purse of £110,000 swiss francs.

And he will return there again when the temperature plummets for the fourth time.

"He's won five races there but things will be harder next time," trainer john Best admitted, referring to the fact runners in the race carry penalties for the amount of prize money won.

The veteran took the 1m 6furlong handicap at Salisbury last night (sat), partly through an extraordinary incident when odds on favourite Mondain jumped the path crossing the course, which brought a collective gasp from the crowd and now matter how well P J McDonald galvanised him, his chance was effectively gone.

Berrhari, who has now won 14 races from his 87 starts, will probably head to Chester in September.

"That's another place he loves," said best, adding with almost a sigh. "I just wish I had another 20 horse like him. He's as brave as he is good."

Willie Muir is not renowned for first time out winners and in the face two strong market rivals who had stated decent form, Pyledriver went off an unfancied 50/1 for the seven furlong maiden race.

However the shrewd Lambourn trainer had seen enough to know the two-year-old was no forlorn hope, even when he seemed to be going nowhere just over a furlong out.

"But I told the owners he would run a big race and have a little each way. We got 66/1!" he quipped. "Early on he ran a little green but he's got loads of talent."

Not surprisingly he will not rush the horse who already stands at more than 16 hands. "He's still weak, a baby and needs time. He will be a monster next year."

Jockey Martin Dwyer was impressed.

"Very green early on but then the penny dropped. He was gradually picking them up and eventually he did it very well. He's a nice prospect."

Tom Marquand is ahead of schedule in his bid to beat his seasonal best of 106 winners and number 60 came with Storm Melody - but only just. The top weight, raised 7lbs for a two length success at Bath a fortnight ago, collared Delegate This Lord in virtually the last stride to take the six furlong handicap - not that he was never worried about the outcome.

"I was very confident, I just didn't want to get there too soon."

There were lofty plans for Baba Ghanouj in the Spring and he looked to set to justify his place at the head of the market when given an easy lead in the 10 furlong handicap but when push came to shove, she had nothing to offer and dropped out tamely as Queen of Time shrugged of top weight of 10stone and enjoyed the drop in class to win for the first time in 18 outings.