SNURGE, who gave Paul Cole his first British Classic win when landing the 1990 St Leger from his Whatcombe stables, near Wantage, has died at the age of 19 from colic.

In storming to victory under Richard Quinn in the world's oldest Classic at Doncaster, Snurge also became the first maiden to win the race in 77 years.

He had been first past the post in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France the previous year only to be controversially disqualified for causing intereference.

A month after his Town Moor triumph, Snurge went on to finish a highly-creditable third to Saumarez in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

He raced at the highest level for the next four years, winning seven of his 30 career starts, and earning more than £1.2m in prize money.

His other notable wins included the Gran Premio de Milano at San Siro in 1991 and the Rothmans International at Woodbine in Canada a year later - although he was awarded the latter contest after Wiorno was demoted.

Owned by Henley-based businessman Sir Martyn Arbib, Snurge was retired to stud at the Haras du Val Henry in France in 1995, before moving to Arctic Tack Stud in Ireland in 2001.

For the past two seasons, he had stood at Grand Stud in Ireland - where he died - as one of Coolmore's National Hunt stallions.

He has sired 55 winners, including Pierse Hurdle winner Studmaster.

Meanwhile, on the track, Bally Conn made a winning debut under National Hunt Rules in a Towcester bumper for Henrietta Knight's West Lockinge yard, near Wantage.

Winner of a point-to-point at Necarne in Ireland, the four-year-old battled on well under Warren Marston to beat What A Buzz by half a length.

Knight sent out another bumper winner when Cave Hill got off the mark at the first time of asking under Rules with a 16-1 success at Hereford.

Ellway Prospect came up trumps at Taunton for Mark Rimell's Leafield stables, near Witney.

Despite finishing second on her previous start at Market Rasen, The six-year-old mare was sent off a 16-1 chance for a handicap hurdle over an extended two miles and three furlongs.

But she defied those odds by ran out a six-lengths winner from Devito under Jamie Moore in a handicap hurdle over an extended two miles and three furlongs.

Rimell will be hoping Oneway bounces back to form when he tackles the William Hill Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

The nine-year-old, who disappointed on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham when finishing last of nine behind Rubberdubber, has reportedly been pleasing his trainer on the gallops.

On the Flat, Mulberry Lad provided Hook Norton trainer Peter Hiatt with his first winner for more than two months when sharing the spoils in a thrilling dead-heat at Lingfield.

The four-year-old, ridden by Paul Doe, was locked together with Imperium as they crossed the line in the second division of the six-furlong handicap.

Linda Green landed a six-furlong handicap at Kempton for West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon.

Benefitting from a strong pace, the five-year-old got a dream run up the inside rail under Edward Creighton to beat Jayanjay by a neck.

Denis Coakley, Channon's West Ilsley neighbour, was also among the winners when History Boy opened his account at Wolverhampton.

Jimmy Quinn powered the two-year-old gelding home by a length and a quarter from Stanley George in an extended mile maiden.

East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison was another to enjoy success at Dunstall Park when Topiary Ted ran out an easy five-lengths winner of a seller.

And he also sent out the veteran grey Solo Flight to take a ten-furlong handicap at Lingfield.